BY MERLE MONAHAN/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
merlemonah@aol.com

ISLE OF WIGHT—Friday’s grand opening dedication of the $10.5 million Young-Laine Courts Building in Isle of Wight drew residents from all over, including state and county officials.

Speakers included State Delegate William K. Barlow, D-Smithfield, State Sen. Frederick Quayle, R-Suffolk, Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Wright, Fifth Judicial Court Chief Judge Rodham Delk Jr., Supervisor Stan Clark and former Circuit Court Clerk William Laine Jr., who served from 1973 to 2007.

Wright cut the ribbon dedicating the 46,000-square-foot building.

The new building was named after two families whose members served the county from 1787 through 2007. Six members of the Young family held the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court from 1787 through 1905, a span of 118 years, while four members of the Laine family held various positions from treasurer to commissioner of the revenue to clerk of circuit court, from 1911 through 2007.

The two-story structure, built because of the lack of space in the former court building, houses three courtrooms — the county’s general district and juvenile and domestic relations courts on the first floor with the circuit court on the second. There also are judges’ chambers and a jury assembly room

Additional facilities include the commonwealth attorney’s office, clerk of the court offices, holding cells and a records room.

At the conclusion of the program, tours and a reception were given. Smithfield High School Symphonic and Jazz Band provided music.