Preferred proponent selected for the Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse
project

KITCHENER, ON, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - The Ministry of the Attorney General and Infrastructure Ontario announced today that Integrated Team Solutions (ITS) is the preferred proponent selected to design, build, finance and maintain the new Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse. As the preferred proponent, ITS is in the process of negotiating a final contract with The Ministry of the Attorney General and Infrastructure Ontario.

The new facility, to be located at Duke and Frederick Streets in downtown Kitchener, will improve courthouse services by consolidating the Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice, currently operating in three locations across 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 38 judicial
        rooms comprised of 30 courtrooms and 8 conference settlement rooms
    

Once under construction, this project will help create jobs and spur economic activities across the region.

The selection of ITS is the result of an extensive evaluation process which followed a request for proposals process that began in January 2009 . The ITS team includes Fengate Capital Management/LPF Infrastructure Fund, EllisDon Corporation, Norr Limited/Aecom Services, SNC Lavalin Profac and CIT Group Securities Inc.

Financing for the Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse is being provided by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada and Great West Life Assurance Company as bond underwriters, together with a banking group consisting of Bank of Montreal , CIBC, National Bank of Canada and Laurentian Bank of Canada . Equity is being provided by Fengate Capital Management/LPF Infrastructure Fund and EllisDon Corporation.

"The Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse will be an important addition to Downtown Kitchener, creating jobs and spurring economic development throughout the region," said John Milloy , MPP Kitchener Centre.

"We are now closer than ever to seeing construction begin on our new courthouse," said Leeanna Pendergast , MPP Kitchener Conestoga. "The McGuinty government is helping to ensure the infrastructure is in place to support the continued population and caseload growth in Waterloo Region."

Following successful negotiations with ITS, the project is expected to reach commercial close and financial close in February 2010 , which will mean that relevant contracts have been signed, a financing rate has been set, the project's cost are finalized, and funds have been made available for the project.

Project costs will be announced publicly following financial close of the project. Construction is expected to begin shortly thereafter in early spring 2010.

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.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

Disponible en français

For further information: Jennifer Sclisizzi, Infrastructure Ontario, [phone]; Brendan Crawley, Ministry of the Attorney General Communications Branch, [phone]