COURTHOUSE CONSTRUCTION TO START IN JULY

Integrated Team Solutions has signed a $249-million contract to design and build a new consolidated courthouse in St. Thomas.
The announcement was made recently by the Ministry of the Attorney General and means that all contractual steps have been completed, paving the way for construction to start in July.
The new courthouse will be constructed on Wellington Street on the site of the historic Elgin County Courthouse, which will be incorporated into the new facility.
The Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice will also be re-located to the new facility.
The courthouse will have more courtrooms and provide better access and security while improving health and safety standards.
It will be a multi-storey building with space to accommodate eight courtrooms and three conference/settlement rooms. The former land registry office will also be incorporated into the courthouse.
The construction project is expected to create hundreds of jobs. At the peak of construction, it is estimated that 120 workers will be on site daily.
Construction of the building is expected to be completed in 2014.
Attorney General Chris Bentley said the courthouse will improve the justice system in the area.
"We are working closely with the community and our justice partners in the area to build a courthouse that will improve court operations and ensure better access to justice for everyone in the St. Thomas area."
Infrastructure Minister Bob Chiarelli said the courthouse will improve access to justice services in the region.
"It will also be a green building, meeting rigorous requirements for energy management and conservation," he said.
The Integrated Team Solutions team includes Fengate Capital Management, EllisDon, NORR, SNC-Lavalin Operations and Maintenance and National Bank Financial.