Judge gives green light for Lighthouse’s Battleford properties to be sold

A Saskatoon judge has given the green light for tax and accounting firm MNP LLP to sell off the first property owned by Saskatoon’s Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. in the Battlefords.

During a hearing Friday, Court of King’s Bench Justice Allisen Rothery said the terms and conditions of the sale are subject to a temporary publication ban, pending the closing of the sale. The proceeds from the sale will be held in trust until a plan to distribute it is approved.

Rothery also granted MNP’s application to assign the Lighthouse’s Blue Mountain Adventure Park into bankruptcy. Permission was also given for the nine quarter sections of the park, including its buildings to be put up for sale.

MNP LLP took over as the receiver for the Lighthouse earlier this month after a request from Affinity Credit Union. The Lighthouse has a $2.4 million dollar mortgage and a $350,000 line of credit with the credit union.

The Lighthouse has been mired in controversy for the past two years.

Court documents filed by former board members Twila Reddekopp and Jerome Hepfner in early February called for MNP LLP to take over the organization’s financial operations and that of Blue Mountain Adventure park.

In late 2021, Justice David Gerecke removed then-executive director Don Windels for two years after he was found to be using the charity’s funds for his own benefit. Windels is now back as executive director after Gerecke’s ruling was overturned by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal.

Another hearing has been tentatively scheduled for the first week of June, when MNP LLP is expected to present a plan for the possible sale of the Saskatoon properties Lighthouse owns, including the downtown towers.