City of Madison Warming Shelter Update

Emergency warming center moving from the Comfort Station to the Bicentennial Park Facility

The City of Madison met Tuesday with Salvation Army and several representatives from community organizations and local government in an effort to continue offering a warming shelter to those in need. They made the decision to move the emergency warming center from the Comfort Station to the Bicentennial Park Facility. The goal is to provide warmth and electricity to those who have no alternative. The warming shelter will be split into men’s and women’s areas and will be monitored 24 hours a day. This new warming shelter will be open tonight through Saturday night from 7 pm-7 am due to continued temperatures below freezing.

“The emergency warming center will be provided to shelter people from the freezing temperatures as needed. After a thorough analysis of the need and available City property, the center will be moved from the Main Street Comfort Station to the Bicentennial Park Facility. This facility is heated, closely monitored, and accessible to City personnel in case of an emergency. This facility will protect those in need while addressing other community concerns and while more sustainable solutions, are put in place by the City of Madison and the Salvation Army. I would like to thank our community for their support as we deal with this issue,” said Mayor Bob Courtney.

The Salvation Army has the intention of reopening their warming shelter but is in dire need of trained volunteers. To get involved and learn more, please give them a call at 812-265-2157.

If you are out in the cold and encounter a veteran who appears to be in need, please consider calling the National Homeless Veteran Hotline: 1-877-424-3838