Facility Improves Access to Justice for County of Hastings

BELLEVILLE - A new, energy-efficient courthouse is open for business in downtown Belleville. Construction of the Quinte Courthouse was completed in July 2013, with court operations beginning in late August.

The new facility, located at 15 Bridge St. West, improves access to justice for the County of Hastings by consolidating Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice services. Crown attorneys, courts administration, the Victim Witness Assistance program, the Hastings County Law Association, Adult Probation and Parole, Children's Aid Society, Legal Aid Ontario, the John Howard Society, Salvation Army, and mental health workers are now being housed in a single modern and efficient facility. Previously, the courts operated out of three separate locations in Belleville. 

During construction, the project supported and created jobs. An estimated 275 workers were on site daily at the peak of construction. At capacity, about 500 staff and visitors are expected to conduct business in the new facility every day, bringing increased demand for services in downtown Belleville

The new, six-storey building increases the number of courtrooms in the County of Hastings, provides better technology and security and improves access for people with disabilities. 

The Quinte Courthouse was designed and built to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standard. As part of this commitment, a 360 square-metre green roof was incorporated into the building design to improve energy conservation and storm water runoff.

Infrastructure Ontario is a crown agency of the Province of Ontario that delivers large, complex infrastructure renewal projects on time and on budget. Over the last six years, the province has applied Infrastructure Ontario's alternative financing and procurement model to 83 major projects valued at approximately $38 billion, saving taxpayers an estimated $3 billion. Infrastructure Ontario also manages one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada, provides municipalities and eligible public sector clients with financing to renew public infrastructure, and leverages its private-sector expertise to manage major commercial transactions on behalf of the province.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information. 

Quotes: 

Hon. John Gerretsen, Attorney General  
“This new, modern, accessible facility brings together all court services in the region under one roof. The Quinte Courthouse is another example of our continued commitment to delivering courthouses that meet the highest standards for accessibility, greening, security and technology.” 

Hon. Glen Murray, Minister of Infrastructure 
“The new Quinte Courthouse is a prime example of our government's commitment to investing in infrastructure across Ontario. The completion of this project is great news - not only for the justice community, but for local businesses, community agencies, and residents.” 

Contacts: 

Jennifer Asals 
Infrastructure Ontario 
416-326-9357 

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