HUDSON — After a month-long search, the Hudson Youth Clubhouse has found a new home at 47 N. 5th St., county officials said, but the relocation might be a temporary one.
The move comes in the aftermath of Columbia County’s acquisition of 11 Warren St. this summer for $3,350,000 from Galvan.
“In terms of needs, this is probably the best short-term outcome that we could comfortably live with,” Columbia County Youth Bureau Executive Director Dan Grandinetti said. “It’s a win-win for all. It’s within walking distance from the old location. It’s a great program, I think. It has great value and will stay intact. We were given less than a month to come up with an answer, and I can honestly say with the holidays and the short time that we were given, collectively, the county officials and county board of supervisors did our due diligence so this program of great value can remain intact.”
Grandinetti credited Hudson 5th Ward Supervisor Richard Scalera with tying all the loose ends together to make the move happen, Grandinetti said. The leadership at the Clubhouse, Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition, Department of Social Services, County Youth Bureau, Board of Supervisors and the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties all came together to make this program valuable, he added.
“I was not appointed, but chose the role to try and bring all the parties to the same table and have a conversation to see if HCHC was willing and comfortable with the Clubhouse’s location within that building,” Scalera said. “As for the Clubhouse supporters, I understand the frustrations of relocating to another site away from what was considered an ideal location, but the building was being sold to the county, which has been looking for desperately needed space for offices and other identified uses for years. I applaud HCHC and the Clubhouse program for their cooperation and wish them the best moving forward.”
According to Grandinetti, the new Clubhouse location is being retrofitted by Galvan to fit the needs of the program. Galvan will add a kitchen and knock down walls to add new space for the clubhouse at no cost. The Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition is allowing the Clubhouse to sublet the space.
“The Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition came through for us,” Grandinetti said. “Many people came together for this to make sure this wasn’t compromised so the kids couldn’t have a place to go.”
Columbia County Social Services Commissioner Robert Gibson said the arrangement for a new Youth Clubhouse was the best officials could do.
“It keeps the Clubhouse open and walkable for a lot of these kids and families,” Gibson said. “This is what we wanted to do. I’m excited we were able to get something done, and there won’t be a big break in these services because they’re essential to the people in the community.”
Grandinetti spoke glowingly about the impact Hudson Youth Clubhouse Coordinator Pam Badila has had on the county’s youth.
“Pam Badila and her family are doing tremendous work for the community through work in the youth field and creativity,” Grandinetti said. “Their artists and family approach are essential. It’s vital that we understand these programs and do what we can to keep these programs alive and thriving.