Ellenville Warming Center Open Since Feb. 10 at Hunt Memorial Building

The Wawarsing Town Board last night unanimously approved a proposal by County Executive Metzger to partner on a warming center at the Hunt Memorial Building at 124 Canal Street in Ellenville. The County Executive proposed a plan in January — unanimously approved by the Village of Ellenville Trustees last month — in which the County would contract with Ellenville Regional Hospital to operate the warming center seven nights a week through March 31. The County moved quickly to enter into a contract with the hospital to open the center on February 10, and the Wawarsing Town Board agreed last night to contribute $10,000 toward the cost, with the County responsible for just under $40,000 of the cost. 

The Warming Center has been utilized every night since it opened on February 10. 

“There is a real need in this community for a warming center, and with a fully-equipped emergency shelter in town, no one should be without a warm bed,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “I want to thank the Village and Town leadership and Steve Kelley and his team at Ellenville Regional Hospital for partnering to move this plan forward quickly to keep community members warm and safe during this extremely cold winter.” 

The Hunt Building was renovated in 2022 to include a Red Cross emergency shelter, with beds for 12, showers, and a kitchen, thanks to a Community Development Block Grant through the state. The Town and Village erroneously believed that the building could not be used for purposes other than a declared disaster for a period of five years. County Executive Metzger contacted New York State Housing and Community Renewal directly last week and confirmed that the building could indeed be used as a warming center.

“The Hunt Building is an absolutely ideal location, and I am thrilled that we were able to get the needed confirmation to move forward,” said County Executive Metzger.

“The Town of Wawarsing thanks all the agencies involved in getting this Warming Center off the ground, including Ellenville Regional Hospital, for providing personnel services and oversight of operations, Ulster County, and the Village of Ellenville,” said Wawarsing Supervisor Terry Houck.

“We are extremely grateful to County Executive Jen Metzger and the County government, as well as Ellenville Regional Hospital and its President and CEO, Steve Kelley, for stepping in to provide this crucial service for those in need,” said Ellenville Mayor Evan Trent. “It’s amazing to see The Hunt Shelter’s potential finally realized.”

“This warming center is a testament to what we can achieve when local government and community partners come together with a shared purpose,” said Johnny Frost, Town of Wawarsing Councilmember. “Ensuring that our residents have a safe, warm place during the coldest months is not just a priority — it’s a responsibility. I’m proud to see Ulster County, the Town of Wawarsing, the Village of Ellenville, and Ellenville Regional Hospital working together to make this a reality for our community.”

“Ellenville Regional Hospital is pleased to participate in and support Ulster County, the Village of Ellenville, and the Town of Wawarsing in providing shelter from the cold to some of the most vulnerable in our community,” said Ellenville Regional Hospital President and CEO Steve Kelley.

Ellenville Regional Hospital is staffing the warming center to operate seven days a week, beginning at 11 PM, when the Village's warming center in the Courthouse at Village Hall closes, and continuing through 7 AM. Food is provided on arrival, and breakfast is served in the morning.

###