The City of Forest Lake, in Minnesota, had earmarked $150,000 of its $1.5 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the project to improve facilities at the publicly owned Castlewood golf course.

Council members hoped that replacing a small shop with a larger clubhouse would help social distancing efforts, and unanimously approved the plans in October.

That decision was reversed on Monday, after the plans were heavily criticized following a report by local news outlet, KSTP-TV.

“Hindsight’s 2020 obviously,” city administrator Patrick Casey told councillors at the meeting, KSTP-TV reports. “I think it’s something the council should reconsider.

“It’s not the best use for the CARES Act and we should rescind the cost of using CARES Act money to build the building.”

According to the U.S. Treasury, the relief fund given to local government should be used to cover expenses that “are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19).”

Mayor Mara Bain had defended the plans earlier this month, saying the course was used by many families for exercise during the pandemic.

In a Facebook Live broadcast, she told voters “Castlewood is not Pebble Beach” and that the current facilities were “not big enough to support social distancing.”

“Given the gem that that golf course has been to our community, if there’s an opportunity for me to make that safer and a better experience—count me in every day,” she added.

Her remarks received a mix response from residents, with some questioning why the funds had been set aside for public projects, rather than for businesses.

Sally Sahr wrote: “It’s great that the city gets improved but these funds were not meant for something like this.

Jon Sanderson said: “Some business in Forest lake didn’t qualify for the COVID funding because they were to new of business so how can the city use the money to build a New building for a golf course that is City owned.”

Brian Klein added: “Covid relief and taxpayer funds for a nice posh clubhouse.”

However, resident, Erin Johnson Turner, posted: “I’m glad our city worked to get those dollars into the community. Sounds like not all cities did that, and we are better for it.”

The city reportedly now plans to use the $150,000 funding elsewhere.

City of Forest Lake and Mayor Bain have been approached for comment.