Corner Brook -
Corner Brook's newest government buildings should be open for business in the coming two months or so.
The first one expected to open its doors will be the new law courts building next to the Sir Richard Squires Building.
While the Department of Justice could not confirm when the first court cases will be called in the new 4,500-square metre building, which cost more than $20 million, Finance Minister Tom Marshall did mention the date of May 3 during his address to the Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade last week.
While that date may be the official opening of the state-of-the-art courthouse, it could be operational before then. The building will be the new home to both the provincial court and the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Seven court rooms
There will be seven court rooms, two equipped to hold jury trials; a sheriff's office, equipped with holding cells; space for registries of provincial and family court; various meeting rooms; witness waiting areas; jury rooms; conference and work areas for judicial support staff; and a law library.
"At this time, the Department of Justice is working with the Department of Transportation and Works and both levels of court to prepare for the transition," a Department of Justice spokesperson said via email. "The goal of this process will be to ensure as seamless a transition as possible with minimal disruption to services. As well, an official opening of the building will take place and the department will provide further details on this opening in the near future."
In the budget recently brought down by Marshall, government allocated $1 million to complete the courthouse project. There was also funding to reconfigure the space within the Sir Richard Squires Building currently occupied by the provincial and Supreme courts.
"That will free up a lot of space in the building that can be put to good use," Marshall stated during his address in Corner Brook last week.
Marshall also announced $3 million to finish off the new long-term health care centre in Corner Brook, which Marshall said is expected to accept its first occupants in June. The 236-bed facility has a price tag of about $70 million.
The finishing touches - such as painting, flooring and trim work - are being put on the building erected adjacent to Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, according to the Department of Transportation and Works. The commissioning and testing of that building's systems - such as security, nurse call, fire suppressant, heat, ventilation and air conditioning systems - are also expected to be completed by the end of April.
Western Health anticipates about two months will be required to fit out the building. This will include measures such as installing window coverings and patient lifts, data wiring, furniture delivery and placement, completion of food and laundry services set up and staff orientation.
The timeline for the physical transition of people into the facility is being worked on by Western Health and the Department of Health and Community Services.
No one from Western Health was available to discuss future plans for its facilities which are currently used to accommodate long-term care residents. Those locations include the O'Connell Centre, the Interfaith Home for Senior Citizens and the fifth and sixth floors of Western Memorial Regional Hospital.
