[mmmatt]

New justice complex 'grossly underbudgeted"; Minister blames inflation, not unforeseen costs, for pricetag now estimated at $40M

Times & Transcript (Moncton)
Wed 14 Feb 2007
Page: A1
Section: NEWS
Byline: By Kate Wright Times & Transcript Staff

The final tab for the Moncton justice complex may end up costing the provincial government more than originally projected, but the minister in charge of the file says the increase is a simple matter of inflation, not unforeseen costs.

Supply and services minister Roly MacIntyre was quick to refute a CBC Radio report heard in Moncton yesterday morning, which alleged the cost of the project had dramatically escalated since first being announced.

He said yesterday that the cost of the project has increased by about $12 million since being announced two years ago, but that's no "giant surprise" to him.

He said that the project was grossly under budgeted at $28 million at the outset.

"You're going back two or three years ago, and there's no doubt the costs have escalated," he said. "That was a very early estimate on cost of courthouse. Early estimates were based on no design work being done."

As time and the design of the complex have progressed, MacIntyre said it will be closer to $40 million when all is said and done.

"That's not news to us. It's not unexpected - the cost of construction continues to escalate."

He added that justice complexes are generally more costly to construct because of the security issues involved.

The site of the complex, located at the northeast corner of Assomption Boulevard and Westmorland Street, has come under fire several times over the past two years.

From contamination issues on the site to a low water table causing problems for proposed underground parking, costs have had to increase to reflect the nature of the site, said MacIntyre.

But he maintained yesterday that the department was well aware of costs and "knew they were manageable." Even if the site was to be moved, MacIntyre said issues like parking and the water table in that general region would still be of concern.

To look at cutting back on costs, MacIntyre said parking will be an issue that will continue to be addressed. He said there may be a combination of underground and surface parking to reduce costs.

Regardless, MacIntyre said plans are to go to tender with the project in April, and have the building open by 2009.

He said the project's architect is well into the design and the government will build on the site that's already been chosen.

"The bottom line is, can we build a quality building on that site, and the answer was yes," he said. "