The infrastructure minister says “there’s no way” government is forgetting Stephenville Crossing following news that a building once earmarked for development of a new courthouse will be demolished.

Renovations on the Martin Gallant Building, a former CNA campus, had begun under the previous government with hopes of turning it into a new courthouse and government services building.

However those plans were halted after the PCs took power last year. Government says a further assessment of the building shows that level of disrepair is too far gone, and it will be demolished.

Minister Barry Petten says there have been lots of internal conversations about how to proceed, and engagement will guide where potential new court facilities will go.

He says he had “no choice” but to change course, saying that the project was not thought out. He assures that “Stephenville Crossing will not be forgot about.”