Come down Hospital Hill from Worland and imagine - instead of an empty spot to the left- an attractively landscaped center that welcomes visitors.

That is what a group of Big Horn Basin citizens have been doing - putting together the concept for a center that could make a difference not just to Thermopolis but to the entire Basin.

The effort is being spearheaded by Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation and Hot Springs State Park.

"Hot Springs State Park has a wonderful story to tell," said Kevin Skates, Hot Springs State Park superintendent. "But we haven't had the resources to tell it very well."

According to Skates, the Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources is making an effort to upgrade interpretive materials throughout the state. When completed, Hot Springs State Park could serve as a model for interpretive centers at other state parks.

"When this new complex is in place, I think we'll see an increase of people stopping in Thermopolis," said Skates, "not just for the park but for the entire area."

The Foundation received seed money to begin planning through the newly created Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund in March. The project was also designated a regional project by the Big Horn Basin Resource Conservation & Development Council, Worland.

The complex is designed to act as an information and education center. It includes classrooms and activity areas for community and recreational use. A web technology center is designed to deliver education and small business services throughout the year. It will also link to natural and cultural resources throughout the Basin, providing traveler information.

"Four or five years ago, the state recognized that tourism had become a leading growth factor in the state," said Toddi Darlington, who was then director of Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce. "Studies and consultations with the Wyoming Business Council's tourism & economic development departments, showed that Thermopolis has all the natural resources in place to become an important tourism destination site - but the town needed something to stop tourists who simply drive through - or who just stop long enough to swim an hour and then go on to Yellowstone. We needed what I like to call a 'Wow' factor."

Darlington, who is bookkeeper with Koerwitz, Michel, Wright & Associates, now serves as secretary of the Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation, and has been instrumental in pulling the project together.

"What marketing consultants hired by Wyoming Travel & Tourism told Thermopolis was to concentrate on our natural resources - the wildlife, the state park, the geology and geography of the region - and to upgrade our facilities to meet the expectations of future travelers. Even today's travelers are not like they were 10 or 15 years ago.

"This complex can be a centerpiece for the Basin, linking the Wind River Scenic Byway to the park and on throughout the Basin. It can make a difference to a lot of our small communities as well as Thermopolis if we market it correctly."

The preliminary sketches for the complex were designed by Schutz-Foss Architects, Gillette, Wyoming. The Foundation is also working with various state agencies for their input. Last year, the Wyoming Game & Fish gave a significant collection of life-size mounted specimens, as well as hides and educational materials, to the Foundation for the project. The collection ranges from birds to small mammals and large game animals. These are in the process of being cleaned and upgraded.

Meetings have been held with advisors, consultants, architects and special-interest groups over the last six months to determine how to mesh all the components together. Additional public meetings will be scheduled this fall.