The village council in Fort San, about 70 kilometers northeast of Regina, has voted against the Pine Lodge treatment centre relocating to their community.

The centre had been hoping to move into the former Prairie Christian Training Center after their facility in Indian Head was closed after a December fire.

At a meeting Tuesday night where delegations were both for and against the move, council eventually voted 3-0 on not allowing the relocation saying it did not fit in the definition of Residential Care Facility as defined in the village’s zoning bylaw.

It is a decision that obviously disappoints Pine Lodge executive director Foster Monson.

“My understanding is there are 158 people on a wait list right now so that gives you an understanding of the seriousness of the problem.” Monson said. “We can return to Indian Head, but the best-case scenario would be August 1. It’s not ideal, but it may be the only way we can go.”