The province is revealing no timelines, budget, or location on their commitment to build a new, modern correctional complex for Thunder Bay.
Infrastructure Minister Monte McNaughton tells us it will be funded by the province and by private industry.
“Going through the procurement process right now and we hope to do the RFP in the fall and get shovels in the ground quickly as possible.”
The Thunder Bay Jail and the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre will be combined to create one 325-bed facility.
A correctional officer and union official Michael Lundy says he feels good after hearing the province commit to the project but does want to speak with the Ministers involved about the number of beds.
Mayor Bill Mauro says he is grateful for the provincial announcement and says his tour of the almost 100-year-old building left a mark on him, comparing it to a time machine.
A riot broke out at the jail in December of 2015 causing officials to speak out about the poor conditions in the facility.
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