There’s good news for a local daycare centre in the Quinte region in its attempts to find a new home.
Director of Community and Human Services Jamie-Lynne Osmond told the Hastings County Community and Human Services committee on Wednesday that Little Rascals in Belleville has found a new location after deciding to abandon pursuit of a lease at 250 Sidney St.
Osmond noted the location is embargoed and the hope is to reveal the address at the committee’s next meeting in February.
Last November, Hastings County Council approved the Infrastructure and Start-Up Funding proposals for Little Rascals to support their relocation from 679 Dundas Street West to 250 Sidney Street in Belleville.
The organization was in the final stages of securing a lease at 250 Sidney St. when they were advised by the landlord and realtor that the property’s zoning does not permit childcare operations and that the location would require a Record of Site Condition to satisfy the Ontario Building Code and a Zoning By-Law Amendment to satisfy planning policies.
Representatives were told RoSC and ZBLA would require a lengthy and costly process, potentially spanning several years, with unlikelihood of approval due to previous use at the site.
Osmond stated in her report that securing a new space is critical for Little Rascals to maintain the 115 licensed childcare spaces currently offered.
