Works to expand and modernize the Kurzeme District Court building have begun in Ventspils, to create courtrooms that meet modern requirements and technology, separating the judges’ working area from the publicly accessible area. Construction works are planned to be completed next spring, with the total construction cost estimated at approximately EUR 2.4 million.
Following the rebuilding of the existing premises and the construction of a new building, the total floor area intended for the court’s needs will increase from approximately 650 m² to as much as 1,422.34 m². The new extension will house six courtrooms and offices for six panels of judges. The escort process will also be provided with a separate entrance and designated premises, so that persons being escorted to the courtroom are brought to premises specifically intended for this purpose, without entering the public area. Following its rebuilding and reconstruction, the existing building will be adapted solely for the working needs of court staff and judges.
“The Kurzeme District Court in Ventspils currently occupies two properties, which do not provide the necessary number of courtrooms or working premises to support the court’s work,” acknowledges Minister of Justice Dzintars Rasnačs. To ensure the organization of the court’s work and the court’s accessibility for visitors under conditions that meet modern requirements, with the support of the Ministry of Justice, VAS “Tiesu namu aģentūra” (TNA) has this year invested funds with the aim of implementing three major construction and restoration projects in Ventspils, Tukums and Jēkabpils. Total investment in these projects is approximately EUR 11 million, including EUR 2.4 million in Ventspils.
The design, construction, repair and restoration works on the court building in Ventspils are carried out by AS “Būvuzņēmums Restaurators un Campaign”. Renovation of the existing building and construction of the new building are fully financed from TNA’s own resources.
“The project’s objective is to bring about positive changes in the day-to-day organization of the court house’s work, improving working conditions and increasing the court’s efficiency, safety, productivity and accessibility of services. All work is currently proceeding on schedule, so that as early as next spring the Kurzeme District Court in Ventspils will be operating from its new premises,” says Santa Sausiņa, Board Member of TNA.
Mareks Mamajs, Chairman of the Board of AS “Būvuzņēmums Restaurators”, notes: “The court house in Ventspils was built in the 19th century. The building, of course, carries its own historical heritage and visually fits very well with the old town’s architecture, but functionally it was very far from modern requirements. Our task is to preserve this building’s unique architecture and appearance, while ensuring that the building and its new timber extension are suitable and comfortable for both staff and visitors.”