CCPPP - Abbotsford Law Courts

Location: Abbotsford, B.C.
Status: In Operation
Value of Partnership: $150 million (construction)
Type of P3: DBFM
Handback: 2050

Upon opening to the public in January 2021, the Abbotsford Law Courts were the first entirely new law courts facility built in B.C. since the Chilliwack Law Courts were completed in 2002.

The 16,723 sq. metre (180,000 sq. foot) building, located in Abbotsford’s city centre, houses 14 courtrooms: eight provincial court courtrooms, three Supreme Court courtrooms and three rooms suitable for case conferences, restorative justice and Indigenous justice cases. It can also accommodate proceedings of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia.

The project's groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 11, 2018, with construction completed in September 2020.

This new courthouse facility, the first entirely new courthouse built in the province in almost 20 years, will double the capacity of the old courthouse and allow for future expansion to accommodate the rapid growth of Abbotsford and neighbouring communities. The Abbotsford Law Courts will improve access to justice for people, in an appropriately sized building that allows victims, offenders, lawyers, judges, court staff and the public access in a safe and responsible manner.

David Eby, then-B.C. Attorney General

The lack of updated technology in older buildings, such as the original Abbotsford courthouse, hampered the capacity of B.C. courts to maintain efficient operations. The new building is fully equipped with the latest technology supporting the convenience of remote appearances. In addition, the project also included the construction of a separate 336 stall parkade adjacent to the facility.

Plenary Justice Abbotsford Limited Partnership is providing a range of life cycle and facility maintenance services over the 30-year operating term of the P3 project agreement including building systems maintenance, housekeeping, roads and grounds maintenance, helpdesk services, utility management and others.

The P3 consortium receives a monthly service payment for provision of these services. Those payments are based on performance, facility availability and service quality. Service payments may be reduced if the private sector consortium does not meet the high-quality standards contained in the project agreement.

Partners: Infrastructure BC (formerly Partnerships BC) on behalf of the B.C. Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services and Plenary PCL Justice.

Plenary PCL Justice consists of Plenary Group (Canada) Ltd. – Project co-lead and equity provider; PCL Investment Canada Inc. – Equity provider; PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. – Design-Builder; WZMH Architects – Architect; Smith + Andersen – IMIT consultant; and Johnson Controls Canada LP – Service Provider