The first court cases won't be heard in Red Deer Justice Centre until early next year.
Alberta Infrastructure said on Friday that the $207-million project has "reached the construction milestone of interim acceptance.
"This means the main construction is complete and Alberta Infrastructure is putting finishing touches in place, such as testing building systems and installing necessary equipment, to achieve the occupancy permit this fall."
Once open, the "state-of-the art courthouse" will have 12 courtrooms with another four roughed in for future expansion.
The justice centre will have spaces for people taking alternative approaches to the traditional courtroom trial process, with three new suites for judicial dispute resolution services, a new Indigenous courtroom with dedicated venting for smudging purposes, and a dedicated suite for alternative dispute resolution services such as family mediation and civil mediation.
While billed as an eight- or nine-storey building (depending on whether you count a top floor mechanical area), the justice centre's floors are 5.4 metres (18 feet) high each, so the structure is as tall as a building with nearly twice as many floors. There are also two floors below ground level.
Alberta Justice does not intend to leave any of its services at the old courthouse.
"The old courthouse will no longer be used for judicial proceedings and front counter service. Judicial proceedings and court operations will move to the new Red Deer Justice Centre.
"The future use of the old courthouse and site have yet to be determined."
Work has been going on to prepare for the new courthouse. A number of sheriffs have been trained over the last few months to staff the building.