News release

Tender Awarded for New Correctional Facility

Justice

Maxim 2000 Inc. of Dartmouth has been awarded a contract to build the new correctional facility in Yarmouth. The contract for the $7.8-million facility was announced today, Dec. 20, by Justice Minister Jamie Muir.

Construction is expected to begin in January with completion in 2004. The 38-bed facility will be constructed on the corner of Haley Road and Forest Street in Yarmouth and will replace the existing correctional facility built in 1862.

"This project is an important one for the Yarmouth area," said Mr. Muir. "We are delighted to be moving forward and expect to generate about $2.3 million into the local economy, along with 65 direct and 55 indirect jobs.

Architect John K. Dobbs and Associates Inc. has designed the 2880 square metre (31,000 square foot) building, which will be similar in design to the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Burnside and will also feature state-of-the-art security features.

The workforce at the Yarmouth correctional facility is expected to double to 30, with an annual payroll of $1.6 million.