Government staff to begin move into new building

Derrick Burgess, Minister of Public Works, made the announcement at a press conference today.

Located at the corner of Court and Victoria streets, the building’s primary purpose is to house a new Magistrates’ Court and police station.

The building is seven months beyond its scheduled completion date of August 7, 2010 — and as much as $20m over-budget — but Mr. Burgess said it will be fully occupied over the next month.

He said: “The Ministry of Youth, Family, Sports and Community Development Headquarters is expected to move into the fourth floor of the south building this weekend, with the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, to be located on the same floor, to follow shortly thereafter.

“The Ministry of the Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Services is expected to begin moving onto the fifth floor of the north building next week, to be followed shortly thereafter by the Department of Planning which will be on the same floor. 

“Over the next month, we shall see this magnificent building reaching 100 per cent occupancy, with major public announcements to be made regarding the move of the Magistrates’ Courts, the Department of Court Services and the Hamilton Police Station in particular.”

Mr. Burgess said today the budget was originally $78 million and was increased to $91.8 million due to changes in the fire code and the need for additional cells in the police station to meet requirements of PACE legislation.

Last year, Mr. Burgess said the complex was due to cost $71 million, but that number rose to $74 million, then $78 million and now a final cost of $91.8 million.

The minister cited the reasons for the increase; a redesigned mechanical space, stairwells that had to be redesigned, new building codes, two new stairwells and ten additional holding cells in the police station.

He added: “Approximately 35 variations or Change Orders were issued up to December 4, 2009 involving the major internal fit out works, with the result the contract completion date was extended from August 7 by 146 days to December 31 to reflect the additional work required.

“Subsequently, a further 110 variations have been issued and the completion date was further extended to January 31, 2011.”

Mr. Burgess also said he anticipated the project will experience a maximum three per cent cost overrun compared to the expect ten to 15 per cent on major projects internationally.