Manitoba government says Osborne House will remain open

Osborne House will remain open and any statement that says otherwise is misleading, according to the province.

A spokesperson says the women's shelter is being run by a provincial administrator until a new service provider is found. Services for clients will not be disrupted.

The troubled women's shelter has been battling with the province since 2013.

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Ken Lee, volunteer board chair of Osborne House Inc., released a statement saying in January the province advised the volunteer board it would terminate the service purchase agreement (SPA)for Osborne House.

Included in the notice was a letter informing the boardit must vacate the property and remove all assets by April 9, 2015.

"This decision by [Family Services Minister]Kerri Irvin-Ross came as a huge shock, as she had publicly statedon Dec.17, 2014, the government had fixed all of the problems and we could have our shelter back," Lee said.

In a statement sent to media on Wednesday, CEO Barbara Judt said she hopes the province will change its mind and will renew the SPA. If not, it vows to continue operating.

"We will continue to keep the tradition of OH alive until there is a change in government. Perhaps at that time we can get our shelter back," Judt's statement read.

If that doesn't happen, Judt vows it will open as a private shelter with eight to 10 beds funded by foundations and private supporters.