The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Honourable and John Hogan, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, and the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL. today announced $8.5 million to convert the former College of the North Atlantic campus in Stephenville Crossing into a courthouse and government service centre in the Bay St. George area.
The courthouse and government services are currently offered at the 1,034 square-metre (11,130 square feet), 70-year old Stephenville Public Building on Alabama Drive. The former College of the North Atlantic campus includes close to 4,080 square metres (43,916 square feet) of space.
The renovations will improve safety and security of court proceedings at the courthouse and enable government services to be provided in a modernized and accessible building. It will also lead to a more functional and spacious working environment for public service workers, including judges, lawyers, plaintiffs, and sheriff’s officers.
Budget 2022 includes $1 million to undertake design work and begin renovations to the building in 2022. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure anticipates renovations to be completed in 2024.
Quotes
“Providing a new location for these services is something residents in the Bay St. George area have been requesting for many years. By renovating a vacant building that government already owns, we are improving access to government services and doing it in a way that is responsible to all taxpayers. We look forward to seeing this work and our other projects to improve accessibility completed throughout the province.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“Ensuring that all residents have access to justice is a fundamental right in a democratic society. This initiative will provide the capacity for the courts to continue to operate as effectively and efficiently as possible in the Bay St. George Area. We will continue to invest strategically in areas that support the justice system in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable John Hogan
Minister of Justice and Public Safety
“A key component of our commitment to safe and sustainable communities is improving accessibility and equality, and I’m pleased to see this step forward. Once renovated, the former College will provide a modern, inviting and fully accessible space, where residents can more easily access Motor Registration and other government services.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL
“I am very pleased that funds have been allocated in this year’s budget for the renovation of the former College of the North Atlantic building in Stephenville Crossing to provide a new court house and government office space. This is a cost-effective expenditure of public funds that provide a better facility to serve the Bay St. George area.”
Scott Reid
MHA for St. George’s – Humber
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Budget 2022
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Brian Scott
Transportation and Infrastructure
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Justice and Public Safety
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Krista Dalton
Digital Government and Service NL
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