New Family Court
There was recognition on the part of the Liberal government, after taking the reins in late 2015, that the Family Court facility required improvements and expansion.
In the 2016 budget speech, the government committed to a $1-million expansion over two years, to allow for fewer delays with more cases being heard, the minister stated.
In 2017, that included $450,000, to renovate for the court’s expansion. The renovations will be to the Argyle Building, formerly home to the province’s research and development corporation (RDC). Family Court will make the move from its current home at 21 King’s Bridge Rd. to the building at 68 Portugal Cove Rd.
The budget hasn’t been spent at this point, but a tender process was completed just before Christmas to transform the building, including required security upgrades.
A report completed after the public tender call shows the work had been re-tendered, resulting in four bids, with the lowest at $1.6 million.