Surrey is one step closer to getting much larger pretrial centre, as the province inks a deal with the company that will build the high-securiy facility.
Last Tuesday, the province signed a construction deal with Brookfield Partnerships Surrey to deliver a 216-cell facility by the current pretrial at 14323 57 Ave.
Construction is beginning this summer and is expected to create 200 to 250 construction jobs and about 500 person-years of employment over the project's anticipated two-year life. Upon completion, it will provide the equivalent of 130 new, full-time positions, including 100 front-line correctional officers.
For the fixed $90 million in the agreement, Brookfield agrees to design, build, finance and maintain the facility for 30 years.
It will be completed in late 2013.
The project will be designed to LEED Gold standards, the highest level of sustainability ever achieved in a correctional facility in British Columbia.
Expected benefits from the design include an improved working environment for staff and lower operating costs over time as a result of reduced energy consumption and water use, abundant natural light and improved indoor air quality.
"Not only will correctional capacity be increased at Surrey Pretrial Services Centre, but the supervision of offenders will be enhanced, resulting in an improved working and living environment for staff and inmates," said Surrey-Panorama MLA Stephanie Cadieux.
The project will also deliver numerous innovations in design and surveillance, providing a safer operating environment for staff and inmates.