Lease signed, work continues on a new Safety Village

It’s official.  Belleville’s Children’s Safety Village has a new home.

Thursday the Chair of the Safety Village Board of Directors Matt Howell and Mayor Mitch Panciuk signed a lease allowing the village to build on a one-and-a-half-acre site at the former Hillcrest School Property.

 

Speaking at the signing event, Panciuk said the move represents the correction of a mistake previous councils had made and that was not thinking about a location for the safety village when a new location was being considered for the Belleville Police Service.

He had words of praise for the work of the staff and volunteers at the Children’s Safety Village, adding it offers more than lessons in traffic safety.

“Over the years it has evolved into much much more, including the very serious dangers of online and internet safety as well has human trafficking.  They have had thousands of school aged children go through their facilities and programs.”

For his part, the Chair of the Safety Village Board Matt Howell said, “Twenty years ago, people like Deputy Police Chief Brian Harder and Jake Nelson of the Quinte Home Builders had the vision to see the need for a Safety Village and the drive to make that vision a reality.  We are thrilled that the current mayor and council share that vision.”

Servicing work at the former Hillcrest School site is currently underway and plans are being made for a new safety village featuring outdoor recreation facilities.  The Belleville Lawn Bowling Club will also be located on the property.