Tender Awarded for Construction of Corner Brook Courthouse

Construction will get underway shortly on a state-of-the-art courthouse to serve the Corner Brook region after a successful tender has been awarded to Allied Constructors Inc. of St. John�s.

"Today�s announcement is a testimony to our government�s commitment to improving infrastructure and strengthening the justice system within the region,� said the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and Member for Humber West. "This is a momentous accomplishment for the people of the region, and will provide a more contemporary environment for those individuals who access or work within the justice system.�

Allied Constructors Inc. was the lowest qualified bidder for the project as determined according to the Public Tender Act.

�We are absolutely thrilled that a company based here in Newfoundland and Labrador was the successful bidder and will be working on this project,� said the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Justice. �We will use local products such as Newfoundland slate for the roof and Newfoundland stone for the exterior facade, and have local people employed as the new courthouse becomes a reality for the west coast.�

Minister Osborne unveiled the plans and model at a ceremony in April in Corner Brook. A total investment of nearly $19 million, including the $16 million tender to Allied Constructors Ltd., the courthouse will be approximately 4,500 square metres and three stories high.

The facility will be shared by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador Trial Division, the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Court of Appeal. It will consist of seven courtrooms, including two equipped to conduct jury trials. The building will also house Sheriff�s Office holding cell facilities for day use, office space for judges, video conferencing and multi-media capability. Sufficient space was also allotted for Provincial Court and Family Court Registries, various meeting rooms, witness waiting areas, jury rooms, conference rooms, work areas for judicial support staff and a law library. The courthouse location on Mount Bernard Avenue will allow parking in the existing Sir Richard Squires Building parking lot.

�After several years of planning I am pleased to see this new facility reach its final stage with the awarding of this contract. The courthouse planning committee and local court house officials are to be commended for their efforts in ensuring this new courthouse will have all the necessary requirements to serve the region long into the future,� said the Honourable Tom Marshall, MHA for Humber East. �This new facility will be a symbol of civic pride and is yet another example of the Williams Government�s commitment to the infrastructure needs of this area.�

Construction is set to begin as soon as possible, with an estimated opening date of early 2009.

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2007 07 18                             12:15 p.m.