Rising Stars shine no more

Originally the board had thought to take legal action after the Rural Municipality of Prince Albert denied them the necessary permit to operate the home. The board decided against legal action when the Ministry of Social Services suggested they should instead sell the property and start a new project in Prince Albert instead.

“In a decision I deeply regret, Rising Stars accepted the request of the ministry,” Bergen said.

“This property was built specifically as a group home for children and has limited potential use outside that purpose. Ironically our failure to challenge the decision of the rural municipality has severely hindered our ability to sell the property.”

The property has been up for sale since March.

Bergen said they had not filed for bankruptcy, but were following a simpler process where the bank would be taking over the assets from the Rising Stars project.

Along with thanking those who had helped Rising Stars along the way, Bergen said the biggest loss is the potential children who would have benefited from the group home.

“There are a whole lot of children who need a facility like this,” he said

“Mostly we feel a profound sadness that the children who should fill this home have been cast aside.”

The Rising Stars Children’s Ranch could have been a lot of things, but unfortunately it’s turned into a vacant lot, Bergen said.

sfroese@panow.com

by Stephanie Froese

Rising Stars shine no more

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