Red Deer's new courthouse is expected to open early in the new year, according to the Government of Alberta.
Construction has been completed on the new Red Deer Justice Centre, which is replacing the city's existing court facilities that have been operating at capacity. The approved project funding is about $203.1 million, the provincial government noted in a media release on Friday, Nov. 8.
The new centre has space for 16 courtrooms, with 12 courtrooms fully built and the ability to add up to four additional courtrooms for future use, while the old building featured seven courtrooms that were built in the 1980s — Red Deer's population has doubled since then.
With construction complete, Alberta Infrastructure is turning the building over to Alberta Justice, which will outfit the facility with furniture and modern equipment to prepare the building for the public. The centre is expected to officially open and begin operating in early 2025.
“Along with building a new justice centre for Red Deer, Alberta’s government is preparing to expand pre-court services, such as mediation, in Red Deer early in 2025. This new facility has the space to offer these services while also allowing more court cases to be heard, increasing Albertans’ access to justice," said Mickey Amery, minister of justice.
Construction on the new Red Deer Justice Centre began in August 2020 — the facility was designed by Group2 Architecture and Interior Design, in conjunction with justice facility specialists DLR Group.
The new centre includes spaces for alternative approaches to the traditional courtroom trial process, with three new suites for judicial dispute resolution services, a specific suite for other dispute resolution services, such as family mediation and civil mediation, and a new Indigenous courtroom able to accommodate smudging. Additionally, it will include modern technology to replace legacy systems at the current courthouse.
Adriana LaGrange, Red Deer-North MLA and minister of health, said she's thrilled the new justice centre will soon open its doors.
"When it opens, it will provide essential space and resources to support timely legal services, reflecting our commitment to improve legal access for the people of Red Deer and central Alberta," said LaGrange.
Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan added: "The Red Deer Justice Centre will improve justice services for a growing population of individuals, families and businesses. This centre is a testament to Red Deer and central Alberta’s growth and our government’s commitment to it.”
There are currently five courthouse capital projects in planning or design throughout the province.
