Short-listed construction teams invited to bid on Thunder Bay consolidated
courthouse project

TORONTO , Sept. 18 /CNW/ - Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) released a request for proposals (RFP) today inviting companies short-listed to design, build, finance and maintain a new consolidated courthouse in Thunder Bay to submit proposals for the project.

The new courthouse, to be located in downtown Thunder Bay, will improve access to justice in the city by consolidating the services of existing courthouses within one modern facility, increasing the number of courtrooms available, providing better public access and security, and improving health and safety standards.

    
    Highlights of the Thunder Bay 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 15 courtrooms
       and four conference/settlement suites.
    

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 three short-listed companies invited to bid are:

    -  Integrated Team Solutions - Ellis Don Corporation, Fengate Capital
       Management Ltd., NORR Ltd / AECOM Design, Honeywell Ltd, Scotia
       Capital (Financial Advisor)

    -  Plenary Justice - Plenary Group, Adamson Associated Architects / Ricci
       Green Associates, Bird Construction Company, Johnsons Controls LP

    -  Forum Social Infrastructure - Forum Equity Partners, Stantec
       Architecture Ltd. / Rosser International Inc., Dominion Construction
       Co Inc., G4S Security Services, Brookfield Financial Corp. (Financial
       Advisor)
    

A request for qualifications issued in May 2009 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 evaluated, the successful project team will be selected and announced in late summer 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 taking an important step toward providing the people of Thunder Bay with a new courthouse that will be designed with the public in mind," said Attorney General Chris Bentley .

"By consolidating courthouse services in one location, residents will have easier access to all justice services, but we're also maximizing the use of public funds at the same time." "By making this courthouse a reality, the McGuinty government is taking steps to ensure that Thunder Bay has the resources it needs to manage growth in the coming decades," said Bill Mauro , MPP for Thunder Bay - Atikokan.

"The Thunder Bay Consolidated Courthouse project will create spin-off jobs and stimulate economic development that will benefit everyone in the region," said Michael Gravelle , MPP for Thunder Bay - Superior North. Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of the Attorney General are working to develop the new courthouse, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable.

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.

    
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For further information: Paulette den Elzen, Infrastructure Ontario, [phone]; Brendan Crawley, Ministry of the Attorney General, [phone]