Halifax Stadium Discussion

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Definitely! The only visual drawbacks in that area would be NSPI Tufts Cove and the high tension lines (and rusted towers) running next to the MacKay Bridge.

I'm sure that if Shannon Park was redeveloped, work could be done to put the lines underground and then dedicate a right-of-way or easement for the lines from Shannon to the power plant.

Not sure if there would be an effort as new power systems come online, that this plant could be decommissioned (much like the one near the Farmers Market)? Except in this case - I'd say just get rid of it.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

You are bang on with mine and Tim's thoughts though. Just like everybody we look out onto the state of the municipality and see problems. The difference is we see the problems clearly in Bedford and unlike a lot of HRM citizens we realize the money being spent on this could be used as the start-up for rail transit. I can understand why South-Enders don't care for money spent in Bedford just like we don't care about the new sidewalk in Sheet Harbour.

Anyways my point is I'd rather see the rail be built right now and have the stadium wait a few years (just build it by the time we hit half a million).

This seems to be the wrong strategy to me. Many would support both if it wasn't one or the other - and I think there are more in favour of a stadium. So he is losing more than he gains by taking such a position. I had a strong interest in community rail until I realized that community rail would further delay a stadium. Although my support isn't important to Councillor Outhit (I no longer live down there), he is losing the support of people who live in the HRM who want a stadium built.

If building a stadium is your passion then keep fighting for it. Just don't stoop to the level of lieing like the Heritage Trust and everyone will respect your opinion.

I would never stoop to dishonesty and I am sure that I haven't. I think that a stadium would benefit the HRM but there is no reason why I would go to such an extreme.

[halifaxboyns]

The Sochi stadium is impressive, but for me - ever since the Olympics in Vancouver I like the idea of BC Place - without the fabric roof. So personally, I'd like to see a stadium that eventually could have a roof put on it that would be retractable or permanent. But that's just me.

[-Harlington-]

City to establish stadium team
Steering committee will provide advice on project
By MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE City Hall Reporter
Fri, Feb 11 - 4:54 AM

Coun. Darren Fisher
Coun. Darren Fisher

Coun. Bob Harvey
Coun. Bob Harvey

A city hall advisory team is to play a key role in the evolution of Halifax’s proposed stadium project.

When regional council authorized a $100,000 feasibility study into the project on Tuesday, they also approved the terms of reference for a project steering committee.

The committee will probably be made up of representatives from Halifax regional council, provincial government staff, sports organizations, Nova Scotia’s hospitality industry, other businesses and the community at large.

A municipal staff report says the group would "provide advice and direction" to municipal officials tasked with the stadium matter.

It says the steering committee should have at least 12 members who don’t have a bias and applications for the positions are to be reviewed by a committee of council that screens volunteers for Halifax Regional Municipality’s boards, committees and commissions.

Steering committee members "would be competency-based appointments and would be individuals who . . . are open-minded with solid analytical and conceptual skills . . . and do not represent special interest groups who may whole-heartedly support, or oppose, the potential outcome," the staff report says.

Doug Rafuse, service delivery manager in the city’s community development department, said Wednesday that a newspaper ad seeking committee applicants should be published soon.

"It’s hopefully going in the paper this weekend," he told The Chronicle Herald.

Rafuse acknowledged it’ll be challenging for the selection committee to find people for the advisory group who don’t have a preconceived notion about the proposed stadium project.

Three of the steering committee’s members will come from the ranks of regional council. All members must be willing to commit their time, up to a one-year period.

"The term of appointment shall be until the project analysis is completed and construction begins, should the analysis lead regional council to that conclusion," the report says.

Coun. Bob Harvey (Lower Sackville) told his council colleagues this week he’s supportive of the consultant’s study investigating whether there’s a sound business case for a stadium in the Halifax region.

But the stakes will change significantly if council decides to have a stadium built, he said, adding a city hall advisory team may not be quite as unbiased as advertised.

"At some point, we’re going to have to make a $60-million decision or a $30-million decision, and that’s going to be a little tougher," Harvey said. "And I wonder if we ever get a steering committee that recommends against something — I don’t know."

Coun. Darren Fisher (East Dartmouth-The Lakes), a stadium booster, is optimistic the feasibility study will bear fruit.

"We need a business case that we can put in our back pocket," he said, echoing the sentiments of other council members.

Halifax Regional Municipality is proposing a stadium could be constructed in time for an international women’s soccer tournament in 2015 if Canada gets the hosting rights to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the city is picked by the Canadian Soccer Association as a host site.

If that doesn’t happen, Rafuse said the analysis of a stadium can continue but the deadline pressure hooked to the FIFA event would be gone. Public consultation is to be a major part of the feasibility study.

Potential sites and the development’s design elements won’t be addressed for a while.

The next stage of the analysis, Rafuse said, is more research and legitimate planning. That phase of the study will likely cost between $200,000 and $275,000.

Rafuse said that stage would include "some preliminary design" and the services of an architect. Halifax council has so far only authorized the $100,000 study that will assess the long-term effects of a multi-use stadium in the Halifax area.

( [email protected])

[wespidel]

Global local news reportly a different report on what Halifax may spend to build a stadium, other TV stations and city council reported 30 to 60 and the latest report a day ago from Global, locally reported 30 to 90 million. If this is true which I pray it is, it`s more encouraging news because they need to be in the 90 to 115 million range in order to build the proper facility to accomodate a city the size of Halifax and also to attract professional sports franchises and major concerts.

PS. Case and point, and I hope Halifax council reads this! Halifax treat a stadium project with more respect, like you have done with all the other multi million dollar projects. I stadium should be a better and bigger project than I 60 million dollar library, so please treat it as such. It`s only common sense and logical for Halifax to build a major stadium in the only major city in Canada that does not have a major stadium. So Halifax build it right and don`t embarrass the city of Halifax and surrounding area residents and the rest of Canada. Instead build a suitable major stadium that we all can be proud of! Peter Mackay`s most important word he used to comment on a stadium for Halifax, to give his support was...... THAT HE WOULD SUPPORT A MAJOR STADIUM FOR HALIFAX. SO HALIFAX PLEASE LISTEN AND THEN I BELIEVE THE FEDS WILL SUPPORT IT IN A BIGGER WAY, IF IT`S A MAJOR STADIUM!

[fenwick16]

Regarding the story posted by Harlington -
City to establish stadium team
Steering committee will provide advice on project
By MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE City Hall Reporter

Is the stadium decision to be based entirely on a business case for a stadium? If it is found that if a stadium will not make money then it that a reason to reject it? Or will the overall benefit in terms of indirect economic revenue for the municipality be considered? Will they include the quality of life benefit for the area - how do you quantify the increased enjoyment that a stadium will bring to the community?

As someone else mentioned, a business case was not required for the new Central Library. Why is there a different standard for the two? What business case exists for 4 pad rinks - it is a quality of life issue; such facilities aren't expected to make money.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by wespidel

Global local news reportly a different report on what Halifax may spend to build a stadium, other TV stations and city council reported 30 to 60 and the latest report a day ago from Global, locally reported 30 to 90 million. If this is true which I pray it is, it`s more encouraging news because they need to be in the 90 to 115 million range in order to build the proper facility to accomodate a city the size of Halifax and also to attract professional sports franchises and major concerts.

Thank you for the information wespidel. I like the $30 million to $90 million dollar price range better than the $30 - $60 million price range. I keep thinking that a $80 million dollar stadium would be a substantial structure that could host large events. It could also be expanded in the future if Halifax becomes a host city of a FIFA World Mens Cup in 20 - 25 years time (I am hoping for 2034 or sooner).

At some price level, there will be a tipping of public support for a stadium. At $80 million dollars it might receive more support than at $30 million dollars since it will be a far more impressive structure. However, at $115 million it might receive so much opposition that it won't be built anytime in the near future. The price level that people are comfortable with will have to be determined by the steering committee that is being set up. Hopefully they will conduct surveys to see what people would support - for example they could show people a representative $30 million dollar stadium, a $60 million dollar stadium and a $110 million dollar stadium and see which one receives the most support. The representative stadium images could be chosen from the best stadium in each price range based on recently built stadiums.

[DigitalNinja]

I'm on the band wagon, that a stadium is a good idea, but there are more pressing matters in Halifax that need to be taken care of IMO. Urban sprawl is the biggest one, and public transportation.

But that is not to say a stadium won't come, it's a matter of when.

[brettinhalifax]

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[brettinhalifax]

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[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Migs

Very happy to see that there is some strong push for a stadium in Halifax. Rider Nation would love to invade your city and we here in Regina would be elated to have some of you folks make the trek out west for a game in the heartland of football.

Wait till Halifax gets a team. Within 10 years they'll give Rider Nation competition for the title 'heartland of football'.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by brettinhalifax

The gov't has to be careful about the questions that they ask. For example, what if the favorite is a bare bones stadium like Empire Field? I'd be OK with it, but would you fenwick16?

That is a good point. No, I wouldn't be happy with the BC Lion's temporary facility since I have seen YouTube videos of it and it is supported by metal scaffolding as are many temporary stands (it looks good from the field but not from under the stands). On the other hand, a permanent stadium similar to the BC Lion's temporary facility with open concourses would be more acceptable. A permanent stadium that could be expanded for a Grey Cup would be my top pick though.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

The Mosaic Stadium in Regina looks very impressive in that picture. It looks much better with people in the stands.

That giant lower tier is awesome. How many does it hold? 13,000?

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Sir, I believe you are mistaken.

Navy Blue, Burnt Orange, and White with a Burnt Orange chevron (nod to the military) on the helmet please!

[Halifax Privateer]

Check out Mean Green Stadium @ North Texas U and FAU Stadium @ Boca Raton, Fl. These are both 30,000 seaters and expandable. Also affordable @ $78m and $62m respectively.

[brettinhalifax]

account deleted

[isaidso]

I don't mind maroon for a Halifax football team.

[wespidel]

I think Fenwick even if it was 30 million or 80 million, the 25 % of the public against building a stadium in Halifax would still complain and who really cares anyway because they are the same people against the oval. I say to them if you don`t like get out of Halifax, move somewheres else where there are negative people so you all can be together and going nowheres!

Fenwick you are right you certainly don`t want an eye sore to look at in a cheap stadium but I really believe Fenwick, Halifax would have support for 115to a 125 million dollar stadium even more so than a 80 million dollar stadium because I believe 75% of the people who supports a stadium would like to see the best facility Halifax could build, built! Especially where Halifax was considering a new 240 million dollar Mero Centre! So you would think a city the size of Halifax would least want to spend half of that to build a major stadium when the CommonWealth stadium in Shannon Park was going to succeed that. Winnipeg are not complaining about building a 200 million dollar stadium, nor is Hamilton to build their 154 million dollar stadium, nor Ottawa to build their 140 million dollar stadium, nor Regina to build a 430 million dollar retractable roof stadium, their doing the opposite and are supporting the projects and are very happy and proud of all of them. I believe the better the facility Halifax builds, the more proud the people of Halifax will be and why wouldn`t they be! I believe Shannon Park would be a great location to show case a major stadium in Halifax but they would have to clean up the crime in that area and it would be expensive to tear down the old empty buildings. I would prefer it built in a safer area, somewheres in the Halifax area, near the downtown core away from a criminal district!

[hfx_chris]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

In any case, I humbly apologize for my irrational interest in a stadium and for all the others on this thread who share my irrational interest in a stadium and post on this thread on a regular basis when they could be posting on more important issues. (excuse my sarcasm)

Sarcastic apology accepted. Interest in a stadium is not irrational, and you're certainly allowed to be interested. I just wish you wouldn't be such a dick about it sometimes.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Sarcastic apology accepted. Interest in a stadium is not irrational, and you're certainly allowed to be interested. I just wish you wouldn't be such a dick about it sometimes.

I enjoyed your break from this thread. I guess all good things must come to an end.

PS: This is why I act like a "dick" in your words:

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

I took a break from this thread in January for exactly the same reason. Some people on here get way too emotionally involved in this...

On one hand you are now allowing me to have an interest in a stadium and on the other hand "some people on here get way too emotionally involved in this ...". I find it interesting that now that I and others are excited about the prospect of Halifax getting a stadium - you have returned with your caustic remarks. However, as you stated previously, (I am paraphrasing) Halifax getting a CFL team just means an opportunity for you to watch your favourite team the Montreal Alouettes play in Halifax. Doesn't this explain your lack of emotion? You would rather cheer for a team in a different city than cheer for a team in the city that you live in.

I cheer everyone who gets emotional about Halifax getting a stadium and CFL team. It isn't a reason to criticize people, in my opinion.