Premier Darrell Dexter formally opened the Bridgewater Justice Centre on High Street July 30 in front of a packed house of judges, lawyers, court staff and local residents.

 Speaker after speaker complimented the design of the building, which includes four courtrooms and brings all local offices associated with the administration of justice under one roof.

 Chief Justice of Nova Scotia Michael MacDonald said members of the local judiciary are the luckiest judges in Canada, calling it "a great day for justice in Lunenburg County" and the province.

 "I say that because in any free and democratic society there is a fundamental principle that justice must be dispensed openly," the chief justice said. "It must be dispensed in a way that offers dignity and decorum. This magnificent facility establishes just that and represents a legacy for the future of this community, for the future of this county.

 "This courthouse is not just for the judges. It's not just for the lawyers. It's for you. It's for all of you," he added.

 But for many the celebration was bittersweet. In February, shortly before he died of cancer, the building was dedicated to former minister of Finance and Lunenburg MLA Michael Baker.

 Those who spoke at last week's ceremony acknowledged the late Lunenburg MLA's role in building the new centre.

 "During his years as attorney general and Justice minister, Michael Baker was instrumental in modernizing court facilities across the province. By doing so, he improved the administration of justice in Nova Scotia and that is why this building is dedicated to him," Premier Dexter said.

 When it came time to cut the ribbon to officially open the building, the premier invited Cindy Baker, his former colleague's widow, to assist him.

 Speaking after the ceremony, the premier said it was a day of mixed emotions as he remembered the man who was both his friend and an inspiration to him.

 "These events are always just a little bit melancholy when you're celebrating the opening of a building that's dedicated to someone who was a friend of yours who's no longer here," he said.

 "For me, it's a day of celebration and it's also a day of remembrance."

 The final price tag for the justice centre released by the province is $16.8 million. When it was first announced in 2003, the anticipated cost was $10 million.