Officials say the days are numbered for the local district court in Auburn, as a plan to move to the new district court takes shape.

For the past few weeks, notices have been going out to residents of Northwood, Raymond, Candia, Nottingham, Deerfield and Auburn that their hearings will now be taking place in Candia. Starting on July 21, all civil and criminal cases will be heard at the new Candia District Court, and all court documents will also be moved to the new courthouse on 110 Raymond Road (Route 27).

Earlier this year, officials from the state Department of Administrative Services agreed to a lease that had them taking over the new court building as of Oct. 1. But an ambitious work schedule from contractor Severino Trucking, a local firm, put the project some three months ahead of schedule, and the court is expected to be open to the public in less than two weeks.

Throughout the project, Candia’s officials have noted that Auburn’s loss will be their gain, and Selectmen Chairman Fred Kelley and others say they’re hoping to see a “spill-over” effect that will bring some income to Candia’s own restaurants and gas stations. Police Chief Michael McGillen said that the closer court building also means less mileage on his department’s vehicles -- and less of a pinch at the gas pump.

McGillen said he also recently toured the building, and he gave it high marks for its ability to better serve the community, law enforcement officials and court officers alike.

Last year, officials formally announced their decision to relocate to Candia from the current building in order to solve problems with a lack of storage and administrative space, and Candia is also more centrally located to the towns served by the district court. Mike Connor, the Department of Administrative Services director of plant and property management, said the rent will remain at the previous rate of about $12,000 per month despite the earlier than expected opening date.

The new courthouse has been assigned the phone number 483-2789 and directions to Candia District Court are available online at www.courts.state.nh.us.