Province Accepting Proposals to Build Jail

The province is accepting proposals to build the Northeast Nova Scotia Correctional Facility.

The tender opened today, April 10, for the construction phase. The tender is open to seven pre-qualified general contracting companies and will close May 7 with construction expected to begin in June.

"It will be exciting to see the structure start to take shape over the coming months," said Ross Landry, Minister of Justice. "This facility will create jobs and other spin-off economic opportunities. It's very good news for the province and the local communities surrounding the facility.

"It's also good news for staff and offenders as this will be a modern, safe, state-of-the-art facility."

Site preparation began in September 2011 with Pine Breeze Logging Services clearing trees and preparing the land for construction. From November 2011 to April 2012, Nova Construction Company installed sewer, storm and water lines, as well as driveways and parking lots. The Town of New Glasgow and the Municipality of the County of Pictou brought storm and sewer infrastructure to the site.

Construction on the 75,000 square foot correctional facility will begin in June 2012 and is expected to be complete in 2014. The first occupants will be in the building by mid-2014.

The 200-bed correctional facility in Priestville, Pictou Co., will replace ageing facilities in Antigonish and Cumberland. It will inject millions into Nova Scotia's economy, with more than 100 jobs at the facility, 70 of them new positions, as well as jobs created during construction.

The building is expected to open by mid-2014. For more information, visit www.gov.ns.ca/just/Corrections/NENS.asp .