The Hot Springs State Park project moved one step closer to reality last week when a special delegation appeared before the Wyoming State Parks Commission in Cheyenne.

After nearly two hours of discussion, the Parks Commission voted unanimously to support Milward Simpson, director, Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Tourism, in pursuing a contract with Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation to develop an interpretive and educational facility in Hot Springs State Park.

The delegation included representatives from Hot Springs and Washakie counties as well as representatives from several partners and collaborators in the project.

Dr. Guy Drake, president, Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation, spearheaded the presentation. “We were supposed to have 20 minutes,” he said, “but the Parks Commission kept asking more questions. We had anticipated what we thought might be their concerns, and our representatives did a good job answering them.

“We have a lot of details to work out with Director Simpson and parks staff over the next two months, but we are all working together to see that this project becomes a reality.”

The project is designed to serve the Big Horn Basin and central Wyoming, connecting Shoshoni, Boysen Dam, Wind River Canyon, Thermopolis, north through Worland and the Big Horn Basin.

Diane Shober, director of Wyoming Travel & Tourism, spoke in favor of the project and how it fits with current trends in tourism.

The delegation included Eric Decker, Big Horn Basin Resource Conservation & Development Council-Worland; Beth Drake, Drake Dentistry; Kyle Gillette, architect, Schutz-Foss Architects, Gillette; Bev Koerwitz, director, Central Wyoming College-Thermopolis; Jacque Michel, partner, Koerwitz, Michel, Wright & Associates, Thermopolis; Kevin Skates, director, Hot Springs State Park; Sue Blakey, Thermopolis; Brian Rutledge, director, Wyoming Audubon, Laramie; and Mark Whitlock, Wildlife Creations, Worland.

Also on hand to speak in support of the project were Hot Springs County Commissioners Brad Basse and Dr. Frank Manning; and Thermopolis Town Council representative Toni Casciato.

“Representatives Lorraine Quarberg and Debbie Hammons were on the floor during a debate on an important bill,” said Drake, “but earlier in the day they visited with Governor Dave Freudenthal to express their support for the project.”

The delegation also met with Governor Freudenthal and other state officials to acquaint them with progress on the project.

Representatives from Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation expect to meet with the parks commission in April to finalize details.

The project is designed as an interpretive center for the state parks, as well as a multi-use educational center and visitor facility. It will also serve as a public-private partnership model that can be used in other communities.

“This will be like the front door to the park,” said Kevin Skates, director of the park. “Right now, people drive in to the park, and they don’t know where to go or what to look for or what we – or the town or region – offer. We’ll be able to have an indoor place for activities that will keep visitors interested year-round so they will stay longer. It can become a major economic boost for the region -- and the state.”