Plans to install a new playground at a community family housing building in Belleville caused some controversy at a Hastings County committee meeting.
In May, the department received a petition from the families at the building located on North Park Street requesting that a new playground be installed.
There are 58 children under the age of 12 in the building.
At a meeting of the Human and Community Services Committee on Wednesday, Quinte West Councillor Terry Cassidy referred to the Black Lives Matter demonstrations saying the playground would be better than more spending on policing.
Belleville Councillor Bill Sandison said he found the comment “a bit offensive” and didn’t see how it applied.
Warden Rick Phillips said he didn’t see the connection.
Councillor Pat Culhane echoed Sandison’s comment and called on Cassidy to amend his statement.
Cassidy refused, said it was part of the discussion and he would not amend his statement.
During the construction of the additional family housing units at North Park Street in 2015, the existing playground structure was removed and never replaced.
Director of Facilities Jim Duffin told the committee there are sufficient funds in the capital reserve to cover the cost.
The committee decided to ask County Council to spend $35,000 on the new equipment.
