Yarmouth Justice Centre Opens

Citizens from Yarmouth County now have a new multi-purpose justice centre.

Premier Rodney MacDonald opened the centre today, Feb. 13, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house. He was joined by Chief Justice Michael MacDonald, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Richard Hurlburt, and Acadian Affairs Minister Chris d'Entremont.

"This is the culmination of four years of hard work and will provide a new level of service to the people of Southwestern Nova Scotia," said Premier MacDonald. "I am very proud that Nova Scotians will be served by such a well-designed, functional building that will offer many important justice-related services and programs under one roof."

The 48,000-square-foot justice centre has two courtrooms, five holding cells, rooms where lawyers can meet privately with clients, offices for court administration staff, and a law library. The centre also has offices for legal aid, the public prosecution service, sheriff services, probation services and victim services.

"The new justice centre is a state-of-the-art addition to the town of Yarmouth," said Mr. Hurlburt, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "It will provide privacy and all the amenities for clients, lawyers, police and the public. It is a service that fulfills needs identified many years ago."

"The Yarmouth Justice Centre will provide services to the largest Acadian region in the province," said Mr. d'Entremont, Minister of Acadian Affairs. "This the first building of its kind in Nova Scotia to have bilingual signs, and that is very appropriate."

Staff will begin moving to the justice centre immediately, with court services commencing in the new facility Feb. 16.

Members of the local courthouse users' advisory committee were acknowledged for their guidance and support.

The $14.8-million building was designed by John K. Dobbs & Associates of Halifax.