Environmentally friendly facility to boost local economy during construction
BELLEVILLE - Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of the Attorney General announced today that Brookfield Partnerships Quinte has signed a fixed-price contract with the province to design, build, finance and maintain a new consolidated courthouse in Belleville. Today's announcement signals that all contractual steps are complete and Brookfield Partnerships Quinte will begin construction in summer 2011.
The construction project will stimulate the local and regional economies by supporting and creating jobs. At the peak of construction activity, Brookfield Partnerships Quinte estimates 200 workers will be on the site daily.
Quinte Consolidated Courthouse, to be located at Coleman and Bridge Streets, will improve access to courthouse services by consolidating the Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice, which are currently operating in four court locations - three in Belleville and one in Trenton.
The new courthouse will improve access to justice for the County of Hastings by increasing the number of available courtrooms, providing better security and improving access for people with disabilities.
The Quinte Consolidated Courthouse will be designed and built to meet the Canada Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver standards, incorporating environmentally sustainable construction practices and energy efficient design.
The value of the contract with Brookfield Partnerships Quinte in today's dollars is approximately $247.4 million. When adjustments for anticipated inflation are made for the 30 year contract term, the contract value is $270.7 million. This covers the construction of the facility, building maintenance, life-cycle repair and renewal, as well as project financing.
The selection of Brookfield Partnerships Quinte is the result of an open, fair and competitive procurement process that began in May 2010. The Brookfield Partnerships Quinte consortium represents a joint venture between Brookfield Financial Corp. and Morguard Corporation, with PCL Constructors Canada providing construction services. The facility was designed by WZMH Architects, with Morguard also providing facilities management. Brookfield Financial Corp. also acted as the financial advisor to Brookfield Partnerships Quinte.
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. As well, it is dedicated to providing the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with long-term financing to renew their infrastructure.
Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.
Quotes:
Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure
“Today's announcement illustrates the government's commitment to building safe, strong communities and investing in this modern facility is part of that commitment.”
Honourable Chris Bentley, Attorney General
“By consolidating courthouse services in one location, we are increasing efficiency and ensuring secure accessible justice services that will meet community needs for generations to come.”
Leona Dombrowsky, MPP for Prince-Edward Hastings
“Once complete, this new courthouse will provide the people in the County of Hastings with modern courthouse facilities to help meet the growing needs of this community.”
Contacts:
Lyndsie York
Infrastructure Ontario
416-326-9368
Brendan Crawley
Ministry of the Attorney General
416-326-2210