TORONTO - Infrastructure Ontario released a request for qualifications (RFQ) today to design, build, finance and maintain a new consolidated courthouse located downtown, between Brodie and Archibald streets, south of Miles Street.
The new courthouse will improve access to justice in Thunder Bay by consolidating the services of existing courthouses within one modern facility. It will increase the number of courtrooms available and will provide better public access and security, and improve health and safety standards.
The RFQ is the first step in the process to select a team to design, build, finance and maintain the new facility.
“This is an important milestone for the community and for Thunder Bay,” said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
RFQ submissions will be reviewed to pre-qualify project teams with the design, construction and facilities management experience, the qualified personnel and the financial strength to deliver a project of this size and complexity. Pre-qualified teams will then be invited to respond to a request for proposals (RFP), expected to be released in late summer/early fall 2009, to design, build, finance and maintain the new facility.
“We are moving forward to ensure that Thunder Bay will have greater access to justice through a new courthouse designed with Ontarians in mind - with secure, accessible justice services consolidated in one location to maximize the use of public funds,” said Attorney General Chris Bentley.
“This project is significant not only because it will provide us with a new consolidated courthouse, but also because it will create jobs and boost our economy,” said Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay - Atikokan. “It is also strategic in its location and will be a part of the rejuvenation of the downtown core.”
“By building a new courthouse, we are putting the foundation in place for more efficient and accessible service delivery in our justice system,” said Michael Gravelle, MPP for Thunder Bay - Superior North.
Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of the Attorney General are working to develop the new courthouse, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable. 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.
Contacts:
Amy Tang
Minister's Office
Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
416-327-6747
Mandy Downes
Infrastructure Ontario
416-327-5246
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