KITCHENER - The Ministry of the Attorney General and Infrastructure Ontario announced today that Integrated Team Solutions (ITS) has signed a contract to design, build, finance and maintain the new Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse.
Today's announcement signifies that all contractual steps have been completed and construction can begin. ITS will begin mobilizing equipment on the site over the next few weeks, with an official groundbreaking ceremony to follow.
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 construction project will provide a boost to the regional economy by directly and indirectly 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.
The Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse project will be delivered using an Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model. ITS will receive annual payments from the province over a 30-year period. Payments cover construction, building maintenance, life-cycle repair and renewal, and project financing. Life-cycle repair and renewal will ensure that heating and cooling systems, windows, floors and roofing structures, for example, are kept in excellent working condition over the 30-year period. The annual payments are comparable to a fixed-rate mortgage, with maintenance and repair expenses included. The total cost of the contract with ITS is approximately $766 million after 30 years. In today's dollars, this is equivalent to approximately $379 million.
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. John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre
“This project is a clear sign of the government's commitment to our community. Once under construction, the Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse project will create new jobs and spur economic development that will benefit everyone in the region.”
Leeanna Pendergast, MPP Kitchener Conestoga
“Once complete, this new courthouse will provide the people in Waterloo Region with modern courthouse facilities to help meet the growing needs of this community.”
Hon. Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure
“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.”
Hon. Chris Bentley, Attorney General
“By consolidating courthouse services in one location, we are maximizing the use of public funds and we will be able to ensure secure, accessible justice services that will meet community needs for the next 25 years.”
Contacts:
Jennifer Sclisizzi
Infrastructure Ontario
416-325-7409
Brendan Crawley
Ministry of the Attorney General Communications Branch
416-326-2210
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