The Manitoba government says it will close the century-old Dauphin Correctional Centre this spring, forcing its 80 employees to relocate or find new jobs.

But it says it will also spend $11 million dollars to expand and renovate the city's courthouse.

In a statement, the City of Dauphin called the news of the correctional centre closure "devastating," and that it will negatively affect the entire region.

The city says the government's move came without prior notice or consultation, but asked for the "continued resiliency" of their community as they continue to move forward.

"We believe our community is resilient, and we will overcome this challenge if we continue to collaborate with one another," the city wrote in an online release.