Kingston, NY – Ulster County Legislator Craig Lopez and Thomas “TJ” Briggs sponsored a resolution showing support for the redevelopment of the former Nevele hotel property in Ellenville as a resort, spa and ProSport Campus.

“Wawarsing was disappointed when the Nevele Casino proposal was passed over by the state last year,” Lopez said, “but this innovative and family friendly project may prove to be even more beneficial to the community.”

Lopez touted the features of the proposed facility as a “youth sports destination” that will include numerous ball fields, courts and year round recreation.   Similar sports campuses have enjoyed great success in other parts of the country but this will be the first and only facility of this kind in the Northeast. 

“This venture will offer something for the whole family and attract a different clientele than a casino would have,” said Lopez. “It seems like a better fit for Ellenville and Ulster County.”

The Nevele Resort, Spa and ProSport Campus will be located in Ulster County in the Town of Wawarsing and adjacent to the Village of Ellenville, which was designated as an economically distressed community by the Hudson Valley Regional Council. The project is projected to create more than 3,000 jobs within the region, including more than 2,230 jobs during the construction and development period and roughly 1,069 new jobs for ongoing operations.

“Youth travel sports represents a $7 billion business, and there is a national trend in the youth travel sports industry where players and their families mix destination youth sports with recreation,” explained Legislator Briggs. “It will partner nicely with our growing tourism industry and be a valuable asset for our own Ulster County youth, a win-win for Ellenville, Wawarsing and the region.” 

The resolution supporting the project was passed unanimously by the Ulster County Legislature at their July 19th meeting.