Designs unveiled for new Fredericton courthouse

Designs for the new Fredericton courthouse were unveiled Thursday, depicting what will soon be one of the tallest buildings in the capital city's downtown.

The courthouse will be attached to the renovated and redesigned Centennial Building, the former home of many provincial government offices before they moved into a new structure across the street five years ago.

"Our government feels that this project preserves important aspects of the former Centennial Building and ensures that an existing government-owned asset will be used to its fullest," Deputy Premier Stephen Horsman said during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

The five-year, $76 million project to build the courthouse and renovate the Centennial Building, which was opened in 1967, is underway.

The courthouse will replace the existing home for the provincial court, Court of Queen's Bench and the Court of Appeal a few blocks away.

The new courthouse will stand six storeys and 32 meters tall and occupy the southeast portion of the Centennial Building site.

According to the province, the new design includes main level secure parking for the judiciary; a secure detention area; a sheriff's suite; 11 courtrooms and two hearing rooms for the Provincial Court, Court of Queen's Bench and Court of Appeal.

It will also provide space for court services, like the probation office and victim services, that are currently off-site from the active courthouse.

The structure will connect to the existing building through a two-storey link.

The renovated Centennial Building will be used for office space.