Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse

operational

Opportunity The Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice were operating from three separate locations—two in Kitchener and one in Cambridge. These buildings became insufficient, with problems ranging from leaky pipes to asbestos insulation and broken elevators. These issues resulted in costly delays and inefficiencies, both to the justice system and to its users. Innovations The Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse will continue to be publicly owned, controlled and accountable while court service continues to be publicly funded and administered but with significant financial risk associated with potential construction delays removed. The private sector was responsible for site conditions and contamination; development approvals; scheduling, project completion and delays; construction financing; commissioning and facility readiness; activity protocols; change order protocol; and facilities management risk. The courthouse was designed with the capacity for expansion and internal flexibility to ensure maximum usefulness throughout its lifetime. Results The seven-storey, 420,000 square foot courthouse has space to accommodate 38 judicial rooms—30 courtrooms and eight conference settlement rooms. Consolidating court service into a single location ensures a modern, cost effective, accessible public service. The building is certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. The design includes a focus on energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The barrier-free design includes no courthouse steps, five barrier-free courtrooms, infrared hearing assistance and barrier-free witness stands, jury boxes and spectator positions in all courtrooms. There are fewer delays and better access to justice. The building was designed to have natural light throughout for the benefit of workers and visitors. There is one jury room permanently equipped for simultaneous interpretation with three portable interpretation booths.  “The new Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse … gracefully implements the practicality necessitated by the growing needs for the delivery of access to justice within the Regional Municipality of Waterloo by way of an edifice that properly reflects the judicial process, a process which is fundamental to the values held dear by Ontarians.” - President of the Waterloo Law Association Clarke Melville

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