KITCHENER - The Honourable Chris Bentley, Attorney General of Ontario, the Honourable John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre, Leeanna Pendergast, MPP Kitchener Conestoga, and Ken Seiling, Regional Chair of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, celebrated the official groundbreaking today for the new Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse.

The new facility, to be located at Duke and Frederick Streets in downtown Kitchener, will improve courthouse services by consolidating the Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice, currently operating in three locations across Waterloo Region.  The new multi-storey building will have space to accommodate 30 courtrooms.

The construction project will provide a boost to the regional economy by creating and supporting thousands of jobs.  At the peak of construction, it is estimated that 250 workers will be on site daily. Construction of the new courthouse is expected to be completed in early 2013. 

As a part of the government's commitment to creating and promoting energy conservation in Ontario, the new facility will be built to Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Silver standard, which focuses on energy efficiency, healthy indoor environments and reduced greenhouse emissions. The building will also feature a barrier free design including: 

  • no courthouse steps, 
  • five barrier free courtrooms,  
  • infrared hearing assistance,  
  • barrier free witness stands, jury boxes and spectator positions in all courtrooms.

Infrastructure Ontario is working with the Ministry of the Attorney General to develop the new courthouse. Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to managing some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects - ensuring they are built on time and on budget. 

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information. 

Quotes: 

Hon. Chris Bentley, Attorney General  
"As part of the Open Ontario Plan, this new secure and accessible state-of-the-art courthouse will meet community needs for years to come. By having all court services housed under one roof we are improving access to justice."

Hon. John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre 
“The Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse will have a major impact on the revitalization of downtown Kitchener. This project has great significance for not only the justice community, but local businesses, community agencies, and residents. Now that construction is underway, the courthouse project will create new jobs and spur economic development that will benefit everyone in the region.”  

Leeanna Pendergast, MPP Kitchener Conestoga 
“Not only will the Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse improve access to justice services in the region, but it will also be a green building, meeting rigorous requirements for energy management and conservation.” 

Contacts: 

Jennifer Sclisizzi
Infrastructure Ontario
416-325-7409 

Brendan Crawley
Ministry of the Attorney General 
Communications Branch
416-326-2210  

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