5.5.16 IR page 9
1
from page 1 Plan PAGE 9 www.thermopir.com May 5, 2016 This page from the Hot Springs State Park Draft Master Plan shows the correction made to the document on April 29 increasing the number of proposed indoor and outdoor pools from one to two. photo courtesy of Toni Casciato legal action of an interference claim. That, in turn, would lead to a study to determine if the wells are interfering with the spring and a resolution could be created to address the issue. He later pointed out closing the wells would not necessarily mean increased water at the spring; it could simply go out another vent into the river. Skates noted there has been some mention of all the pools going to freshwater; rather, he said, it would be a combination of using mineral water for soaking and freshwater for recreational pools. Kids playing in the pools would likely not mind, and the cooler water might be more com- fortable, he said. “We’re not trying to get rid of mineral water,” Skates said. “That’s our bread and butter, and that’s what we’re known for.” However, contingency plans must also be considered, should the spring continue to decline. Al Braaten with Hot Springs County Counseling Services, noted May is Mental Health Awareness Month. He presented a resolution, signed by Council members, proclaiming the same and encouraging. Braaten noted quite some time can pass from the time mental ill- ness set in until a person seeks help. He pointed out early iden- tification can improve success of medication and treatment, and mental health and overall health go hand-in-hand. One in five adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year, and one in 17 live with mental disorders such as chron- ic depression or schizophrenia. Braaten also presented green ribbons to Council members, to recognize Mental Health Aware- ness Month, and palm stickers stating “Stop the Stigma” is part of the campaign about mental health, as that stigma can often keep people from seeking help. Braaten was further granted permission to place a sign with the “Stop the Stigma” logo on the Town Hall lawn. Amy Longwell was approved to start providing horse-drawn carriage rides. She has been working with the Historical So- ciety and the Parks Department, and the rides will be largely in Hot Springs State Park, but also could go to the historical down- town and some of the roads in the buffalo pasture. She is also working to get some historical facts that she can share with people on the tours, and hopes to bring back some of the ambi- ence of the town. Longwell noted she does carry insurance, and would be respon- sible for cleanup. Should she give tours in the evening, she plans to have lights on the carriage. Town Engineer Heath Over- field reported the exterior sand- blasting of the Cedar Ridge tank has begun, and the weather has been dry enough for work to con- tinue on the water treatment project. Council approved a $375 bid from Big Timber Tree and Land- scape to cut down the two pine trees on either side of the down- town flagpole. Though efforts were made to save the trees, it was determined they are too far gone and needed cut down. Will Star Plunge be eliminated from HSSP? by April S. Kelley The future of Hot Springs State Park’s Star Plunge may be in jeopardy, according to Star Plunge owner Roland Luehne. “With the new master plan that came out, they have every intention in the world to elimi- nate this facility,” Luehne said. Luehne said the Star Plunge has been in the park for over 100 years, opening in 1900. His fam- ily has owned the establishment going on 42 years. Unlike the Teepee Pool and the Plaza Hotel, Star Plunge does not have a long-term lease plan, Luehne said. “We’ve been going on a month- to-month lease,” he said. “They can pull the plug on us anytime.” Not only is Star Plunge in jeopardy of being eliminated, the use of mineral waters in both the Star Plunge and Tepee Pools is also an issue of concern, Lu- ehne said. “The plan said the use of min- eral water for terraces and foun- tains is the highest priority fol- lowed by the bathhouse,” he said. “Terraces and fountains are im- portant, and the bathhouse is the most important to keep the park. But on the lowest priority of allo- cation will be tourist pools. So if the terraces call for more mineral water, they are going to take it from the concessionaires, which means we won’t have a steam room or a hot tub for that day.” Luehne explained that over time, active recreation pools in- cluding shallow and deep ends, slides and splash pools will be filled with potable water. “No one will come here to Thermopolis to Star Plunge or Tepee for regular chlorinated water,” he said. “They want to annihilate and leave Star Plunge in the dust. As soon as they de- cide to do it, we’re done.” Luehne said he will do what- ever it takes to keep Star Plunge open. “We really want a peaceful solution but there is no way we can have a peaceful solution,” he said. “What I mean by that is, we don’t want a brawl — it’s em- barrassing for everybody. But if that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes. We don’t want that, but some people that love this pool just as much as I do, they want some answers and they want the right thing to happen — that’s to keep the Star Plunge.” Star Plunge generates over 60,000 tourists per year, Lu- ehne said. “We get people from around the state, around the country and around the world — just thousands of people enjoying our facility,” he said. Luehne said it is not just about saving Star Plunge, but about saving the community. “We generate people for the whole community,” he said. “They come here for the facili- ties, we keep them here for a span of time. Then, they leave here and go get camping spots or hotel rooms. They go to local restaurants. They shop at local businesses. We bring people here — thousands of them. And we’ve brought millions here in the last hundred years.” Eliminating Star Plunge will hurt the local economy badly, Luehne said. “This will be the end, not just for Star Plunge, but for a lot of other businesses in the town that are struggling,” he said. Luehne said he has been try- ing to get Star Plunge recognized as a historic landmark but has re- ceived opposition from the state. Planning Coordinator for State Parks Historic Sites and Trails Todd Thibodeau said that in order for a place to be recog- nized as a historic landmark it must be at least one hundred years old and it must convey a sense of what it once was his- torically. “I believe the reason Star Plunge has not been recognized as a historic landmark is because it has been modified several times over the years and it does not convey that sense of historic integrity,” he said. Luehne explains that the mod- ifications to Star Plunge over the years were necessary because of the mineral waters. “This is a very harsh environ- ment at the Star Plunge,” he said. “The sulfur smell is acidic. It eats metal. It eats concrete. It eats wiring. It eats everything up. We’re much better now than we were 40 years ago. We’re much smarter about the materials we use and we’ve also developed a heating system inside using the mineral water. Since we’ve developed the new ventilation system, everything has lasted much longer.” Luehne said he wants to thank everyone for their overwhelm- ing support. “I thank everybody for the support that they’re giving,” he said. “I urge them to please read the fine print in the master plan.” put anyone out of business. We’re trying to bring more op- portunities and more money into this park, which helps ev- eryone in town. We should be able to work together to make this happen.” Luehne asked Simpson about signing a lease for Star Plunge. “We all pull together,” he said. “We bring money into our community. The money turns over six times. That brings in a lot of tax revenue. We want a commitment from you guys — for our future and for the town’s future to go forward.” Simpson said there would be no public negotiations re- garding a long-term lease for the Star Plunge. “We are not going to have a public negotia- tion right here and now, even though I know you would like that Roland,” Simpson said. The 45-day public comment period for the Hot Springs State Park Master Plan will end June 6. For more information, to read the plan in full or to leave public comment on the plan, visit hot- springsmasterplan.com. Maps and a copy of the draft master plan are also on display at the Hot Springs County Library and Hot Springs State Park Headquarters. Comment cards are available at both locations. Commissioners comment on HSSP draft master plan by April S. Kelley Hot Springs State Park su- perintendent Kevin Skates pre- sented the Hot Springs County Board of Commissioners with the Hot Springs State Park Master Plan on Tuesday. Commissioners commented on the importance of the plan, stating that it is in the best in- terest of the community. Commissioner Brad Basse said individuals that are upset over the master plan did not participate in any of the steer- ing committee meetings. Chairman John Lumley praised superintendent Kevin Skates on his excellent work with not only the master plan but his work at Hot Springs State Park over the years. The commissioners also signed a proclamation for Hot Springs County Counseling declaring May 1-31 as Mental Health Awareness Month. Dur- ing the month of May, the Na- tional Alliance on Mental Ill- ness and participants across the country bring awareness to men- tal health. This year’s slogan is “Stop the Stigma.” Commissioners also recog- nized Cindy Magelky at the meeting for her 33 years of ser- vice for Hot Springs County. She began her career in the county in 1983. “Better than Billings pricing everyday!” Lovell 548-2269 Cody 527-5990 Worland 347-6548 each piece 12 Months No Interest Financing! Bunk Beds Futons Mattresses Better Than Billings Pricing Everyday! $ 99 00 WE'RE ONLINE! WWW.HASKELLFURNITURE.NET • FREE DELIVERY AVAILABLE Starting as low as May Mattress Madness! from page 1 Town Classifieds Sell it in the For $ 4 25 pre-paid, you can place a 25-word ad in the IR Are you wondering what to do with all the clutter? The flowers are blooming and the vegetable garden's ready for planting, but what about all the stuff you've accumulated around the house this winter? IR Thermopolis 431 Broadway • P.O. Box 31 Thermopolis, WY 82443 • [email protected] 307-864-2328
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Transcript of 5.5.16 IR page 9
from page 1Plan PAGE 9 www.thermopir.com May 5, 2016
This page from the Hot Springs State Park Draft Master Plan shows the correction made to the document on April 29 increasing the number of proposed indoor and outdoor pools from one to two.
photo courtesy of Toni Casciato
legal action of an interference claim. That, in turn, would lead to a study to determine if the wells are interfering with the spring and a resolution could be created to address the issue. He later pointed out closing the wells would not necessarily mean increased water at the spring; it could simply go out another vent into the river.
Skates noted there has been some mention of all the pools going to freshwater; rather, he said, it would be a combination of using mineral water for soaking and freshwater for recreational pools. Kids playing in the pools would likely not mind, and the cooler water might be more com-
fortable, he said.“We’re not trying to get rid
of mineral water,” Skates said. “That’s our bread and butter, and that’s what we’re known for.” However, contingency plans must also be considered, should the spring continue to decline.
Al Braaten with Hot Springs County Counseling Services, noted May is Mental Health Awareness Month. He presented a resolution, signed by Council members, proclaiming the same and encouraging.
Braaten noted quite some time can pass from the time mental ill-ness set in until a person seeks help. He pointed out early iden-tifi cation can improve success of
medication and treatment, and mental health and overall health go hand-in-hand.
One in fi ve adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year, and one in 17 live with mental disorders such as chron-ic depression or schizophrenia.
Braaten also presented green ribbons to Council members, to recognize Mental Health Aware-ness Month, and palm stickers stating “Stop the Stigma” is part of the campaign about mental
health, as that stigma can often keep people from seeking help. Braaten was further granted permission to place a sign with the “Stop the Stigma” logo on the Town Hall lawn.
Amy Longwell was approved to start providing horse-drawn carriage rides. She has been working with the Historical So-ciety and the Parks Department, and the rides will be largely in Hot Springs State Park, but also could go to the historical down-
town and some of the roads in the buffalo pasture. She is also working to get some historical facts that she can share with people on the tours, and hopes to bring back some of the ambi-ence of the town.
Longwell noted she does carry insurance, and would be respon-sible for cleanup. Should she give tours in the evening, she plans to have lights on the carriage.
Town Engineer Heath Over-fi eld reported the exterior sand-
blasting of the Cedar Ridge tank has begun, and the weather has been dry enough for work to con-tinue on the water treatment project.
Council approved a $375 bid from Big Timber Tree and Land-scape to cut down the two pine trees on either side of the down-town fl agpole.
Though efforts were made to save the trees, it was determined they are too far gone and needed cut down.
Will Star Plunge be eliminated from HSSP?
by April S. KelleyThe future of Hot Springs
State Park’s Star Plunge may be in jeopardy, according to Star Plunge owner Roland Luehne.
“With the new master plan that came out, they have every intention in the world to elimi-nate this facility,” Luehne said.
Luehne said the Star Plunge has been in the park for over 100 years, opening in 1900. His fam-ily has owned the establishment going on 42 years.
Unlike the Teepee Pool and the Plaza Hotel, Star Plunge does not have a long-term lease plan, Luehne said.
“We’ve been going on a month-to-month lease,” he said. “They can pull the plug on us anytime.”
Not only is Star Plunge in jeopardy of being eliminated, the use of mineral waters in both the Star Plunge and Tepee Pools is also an issue of concern, Lu-ehne said.
“The plan said the use of min-eral water for terraces and foun-tains is the highest priority fol-lowed by the bathhouse,” he said. “Terraces and fountains are im-portant, and the bathhouse is the most important to keep the park. But on the lowest priority of allo-cation will be tourist pools. So if the terraces call for more mineral water, they are going to take it from the concessionaires, which means we won’t have a steam room or a hot tub for that day.”
Luehne explained that over time, active recreation pools in-cluding shallow and deep ends, slides and splash pools will be fi lled with potable water.
“No one will come here to Thermopolis to Star Plunge or
Tepee for regular chlorinated water,” he said. “They want to annihilate and leave Star Plunge in the dust. As soon as they de-cide to do it, we’re done.”
Luehne said he will do what-ever it takes to keep Star Plunge open.
“We really want a peaceful solution but there is no way we can have a peaceful solution,” he said. “What I mean by that is, we don’t want a brawl — it’s em-barrassing for everybody. But if that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes. We don’t want that, but some people that love this pool just as much as I do, they want some answers and they want the right thing to happen — that’s to keep the Star Plunge.”
Star Plunge generates over 60,000 tourists per year, Lu-ehne said.
“We get people from around the state, around the country and around the world — just thousands of people enjoying our facility,” he said.
Luehne said it is not just about saving Star Plunge, but about saving the community.
“We generate people for the whole community,” he said. “They come here for the facili-ties, we keep them here for a span of time. Then, they leave here and go get camping spots or hotel rooms. They go to local restaurants. They shop at local businesses. We bring people here — thousands of them. And we’ve brought millions here in the last hundred years.”
Eliminating Star Plunge will hurt the local economy badly, Luehne said.
“This will be the end, not just
for Star Plunge, but for a lot of other businesses in the town that are struggling,” he said.
Luehne said he has been try-ing to get Star Plunge recognized as a historic landmark but has re-ceived opposition from the state.
Planning Coordinator for State Parks Historic Sites and Trails Todd Thibodeau said that in order for a place to be recog-nized as a historic landmark it must be at least one hundred years old and it must convey a sense of what it once was his-torically.
“I believe the reason Star Plunge has not been recognized as a historic landmark is because it has been modifi ed several times over the years and it does not convey that sense of historic integrity,” he said.
Luehne explains that the mod-ifi cations to Star Plunge over the years were necessary because of the mineral waters.
“This is a very harsh environ-ment at the Star Plunge,” he said. “The sulfur smell is acidic. It eats metal. It eats concrete. It eats wiring. It eats everything up. We’re much better now than we were 40 years ago. We’re much smarter about the materials we use and we’ve also developed a heating system inside using the mineral water. Since we’ve developed the new ventilation system, everything has lasted much longer.”
Luehne said he wants to thank everyone for their overwhelm-ing support.
“I thank everybody for the support that they’re giving,” he said. “I urge them to please read the fi ne print in the master plan.”
put anyone out of business. We’re trying to bring more op-portunities and more money into this park, which helps ev-eryone in town. We should be able to work together to make this happen.”
Luehne asked Simpson about signing a lease for St ar Plunge.
“We all pull together,” he said. “We bring money into our community. The money turns
over six times. That brings in a lot of tax revenue. We want a commitment from you guys — for our future and for the town’s future to go forward.”
Simpson said there would be no public negotiations re-garding a long-term lease for the Star Plunge. “We are not going to have a public negotia-tion right here and now, even though I know you would like that Roland,” Simpson said.
The 45-day public comment period for the Hot Springs State Park Master Plan will end June 6. For more information, to read the plan in full or to leave public comment on the plan, visit hot-springsmasterplan.com. Maps and a copy of the draft master plan are also on display at the Hot Springs County Library and Hot Springs State Park Headquarters. Comment cards are available at both locations.
Commissioners comment on HSSP draft master plan
by April S. KelleyHot Springs State Park su-
perintendent Kevin Skates pre-sented the Hot Springs County Board of Commissioners with the Hot Springs State Park Master Plan on Tuesday.
Commissioners commented on the importance of the plan, stating that it is in the best in-terest of the community.
Commissioner Brad Basse said individuals that are upset
over the master plan did not participate in any of the steer-ing committee meetings.
Chairman John Lumley praised superintendent Kevin Skates on his excellent work with not only the master plan but his work at Hot Springs State Park over the years.
The commissioners also signed a proclamation for Hot Springs County Counseling declaring May 1-31 as Mental
Health Awareness Month. Dur-ing the month of May, the Na-tional Alliance on Mental Ill-ness and participants across the country bring awareness to men-tal health. This year’s slogan is “Stop the Stigma.”
Commissioners also recog-nized Cindy Magelky at the meeting for her 33 years of ser-vice for Hot Springs County. She began her career in the county in 1983.
“Better than Billings pricing everyday!”Lovell 548-2269 Cody 527-5990 Worland 347-6548
each piece
“Better than Billings pricing everyday!”Lovell 548-2269 Cody 527-5990 Worland 347-6548
each piece
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Classifi edsSell it in the
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Are you wondering what to dowith all the clutter?
The fl owers are blooming and the vegetable garden's ready for
planting, but what about all the stuff you've accumulated around the house this winter?
IRTherm
opoli
s 431 Broadway • P.O. Box 31 Thermopolis, WY 82443 • [email protected]
307-864-2328
