Expanding Access to Justice and Fostering Community

The Province of British Columbia and City of Abbotsford sought to develop a courthouse that would increase access to justice in the community. HDR was engaged in the role of Owner’s Advisor for this significant new project, constructed within the City Centre Civic Precinct on land leased to the Province by the City of Abbotsford.

The 14-room courthouse includes three Supreme Court courtrooms, eight provincial court courtrooms and three judicial conference rooms, and incorporates justice programs like Crown counsel, community corrections, and a Justice Access Centre. In addition, the design includes a parkade to supplement parking requirements for the City of Abbotsford.

HDR worked with representatives of the Owner, the Ministry of Justice and Partnerships BC, as well as various consultants providing other or additional advisory services. As Facility Consultant Advisor, HDR assembled, led, managed and coordinated a team of specialist consultants through the following 3 phases:

• Phase 1 – Business case preparation and development of an indicative design
• Phase 2 – Project Procurement services, including drafting performance specifications, development of evaluation criteria; and participation in collaborative meetings
• Phase 3 – Implementation services through the design development and construction implementation stage

HDR’s sustainability strategy informed the performance specifications for the project. Together with input from the Ministry of Justice, HDR prepared a LEED Scorecard, which outlined mandatory LEED credits which the public-private partnership proponents were to incorporate. In addition, an Energy Model was developed highlighting performance requirements for the project.