KITCHENER - Plans to build the Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse took another step forward today when Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of the Attorney General released a request for proposals (RFP) to design, build, finance and maintain the new courthouse, which will be located at Duke and Frederick Streets in downtown Kitchener. 

The new facility will improve courthouse services and consolidate the Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice, which are currently operating in three locations across the Waterloo Region. 

Highlights of the Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse include:

  • a commitment by the government to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standard, which focuses on energy efficiency, healthy indoor environments and reduced greenhouse gas emissions
  • a new multi-storey building with space to accommodate 30 courtrooms.

Consolidating local courthouses into a single location will provide a modern, effective and accessible courthouse for the community.  As well, it will reduce costs and provide a more effective use of resources.

The companies invited to bid are: 

  • Access Justice Waterloo consisting of Meridiam and John Laing, Babcock & Brown, WZMH Architects/Cannon Design, PCL Constructors, Honeywell.  
  • Integrated Team Solutions consisting of Fengate Capital Management/LPF Infrastructure Fund, CIT, NORR Ltd./Spillis Candela DMJM, EllisDon, SNC Lavalin-Profac.  
  • Plenary Justice consisting of Plenary Group and Innisfree, Adamson Associates/Ricci Green Associates, Bird Construction, Johnson Controls.

A request for qualifications issued in June 2008 short-listed the three teams with the development, design, construction, financial, and facilities management capacity to undertake a project of this size and complexity.

Once submissions to the RFP are received and reviewed, a winning team is expected to be selected and announced in early 2010; construction is expected to begin shortly after. A copy of the RFP is available on Infrastructure Ontario's website at www.infrastructureontario.ca.

“We're providing the people of Waterloo Region with greater access to justice through this new courthouse - to be designed with the public in mind,” said Attorney General Chris Bentley. “By consolidating courthouse services in one location, we're not only able to provide easier access to all justice services, but we're also maximizing the use of public funds at the same time. We are delivering justice that's right for Ontarians and for the times.” 

“The Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse project will create spin-off jobs and stimulate economic development that will benefit everyone in the region,” said John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre and Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. 

“The population and court caseloads of Waterloo Region will continue to grow in the coming decades," said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP Kitchener Conestoga. “The McGuinty government is taking steps to ensure the resources are in place to manage growth by making this new courthouse a reality.”

Infrastructure Ontario is working with the Ministry of the Attorney General to develop the facility. 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: 

Jennifer Sclisizzi 
Infrastructure Ontario 
416-325-7409 

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