Red Deer will be moving from a 1980s seven-room courthouse to something bigger and better in the near future.
One of few bright spots in the recently rolled out 2017 Alberta budget is that $97 million over the next four years will be committed to a new courthouse in Red Deer.
Seven rooms might have been enough when the city's population was less than half of the current 100,000. However, as it stands, and with an outlook for growing population, Red Deer does not have the judicial resources it will need to meet the demand.
You know the situation is bad when Alberta Justice moves proceedings to the Baymont Inn and Suites due to over-congestion, like they did in 2014. And it was only looking to get worse unless something could be done.
In this five-year battle concerns regarding a lack of appropriate courtroom space were raised time and again by those in and around the Red Deer area.
Community leaders have rightly seen a new courthouse as a major priority for their area, and they have gone to bat on this issue. Their voices were heard. Their persistence has paid off.
In so many ways the new courthouse is great news for the citizens of Red Deer, and for all those in the Central Alberta region. Access to justice in a timely and effective manner is an essential part of community safety. When the criminal classes know they have to face consequences and sentencing, the seriousness of their actions becomes more apparent.
With funding committed to the project, the design phase is the next step that will be taking place.
The City of Red Deer is expected to push to use the former Red Deer RCMP building as a new courthouse, as they have been holding the location since 2011. And why not? The building itself is in close proximity to the Red Deer Remand Centre, and at a good location for general access.
As these plans come together and the beginning steps are laid out, I am thrilled to voice my pleasure alongside that of the surrounding communities, mayors and town councils at this civic victory.
The 1980s are getting ready to say hello to 2017, and it's about time.
Congratulations City of Red Deer.
Don MacIntyre is the MLA for the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding.
