Halifax Stadium Discussion - Page 26

fenwick16 · #**501** Posted **Dec 15, 2009, 1:06 PM**

Does this really rule out the Wanderers Grounds? After all, the clubhouse could be incorporated into a stadium and rugby could be played in a new stadium. The clubhouse could display the history of rugby and football in Nova Scotia.

The stadium could be built with low rise stands so that it doesn't impose on the Public Gardens. Both Detroit (Ford Field http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Field ) and Baltimore (Camden Yards http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriole_Park_at_Camden_Yards ) have found ways to incorporate historic buildings into their stadiums). We are thinking about a much smaller capacity stadium in Halifax (but not an uninteresting stadium). Halifax could also do something unique just like Detroit and Baltimore have done.

terrynorthend · #**502** Posted **Dec 15, 2009, 3:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenwick16

The stadium could be built with low rise stands so that it doesn't impose on the Public Gardens. Both Detroit (Ford Field http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Field )

Jeez, check out that link. Do they really setup Ford Field for NCAA final four basketball. What a crappy venue for BB.

mcmcclassic · #**503** Posted **Dec 15, 2009, 3:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenwick16

I think that the DND Willow Park location would be perfect for a stadium. If this was developed with an appealing design it would likely lead to all sorts of developments in this area. Possibly extending the downtown area more to the North.

Agreed, but I'd say that something would need to be done with the roads around the stadium area. Both Windsor st and Bayers road are 2 lane around the area and currently get backed up at rush hour. Imagine the mess if thousands more people used them frequently.

hfx_chris · #**504** Posted **Dec 15, 2009, 11:49 PM**

Thankfully most sports events don't coincide exactly with rush hour, so it's not like the folks leaving the stadium are going to be added on top of the existing rush hour crowd.

fenwick16 · #**505** Posted **Dec 16, 2009, 12:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrynorthend

Jeez, check out that link. Do they really setup Ford Field for NCAA final four basketball. What a crappy venue for BB.

Football stadiums don't make good basketball venues. However, it is interesting how in Detroit they took an old warehouse and converted it into a football stadium. The field is 35 feet below ground level (another sunken bowl design) http://football.ballparks.com/NFL/DetroitLions/newindex.htm

fenwick16 · #**506** Posted **Dec 16, 2009, 1:00 PM**

I wrote a summary of the views of this thread and information from other internet sources. This report is at the following location: http://img231.imageshack.us/i/stadiumreport2.pdf/ I sent a copy of this to Councillor Sue Uteck a couple of days ago. I haven't received a response as of yet (However, it has only been 2 days so this is meant as criticising the Councillor).

Based on articles that I have seen on the internet, it appears as though the HRM council wants to get an international event in order to get federal funding to build a stadium. However, in my opinion because of the failed Commonwealth Games bid and a lack of a stadium, it will be difficult for Halifax to get any large international events in the future. So it is a catch 22 situation.

In my opinion anyone who is really serious about getting a stadium for Halifax should be writing to the HRM councilors. Their emails are at http://www.halifax.ca/districts/index.html

If Halifax would select a site and start even a modest stadium then it will have a far better chance of attracting international events and then receive federal funding to expand the stadium. I would personally contribute $2,000 if HRM would set up a trust fund for a stadium and I think that there are many others who would contribute money. I would only want to contribute directly to the HRM council or staff.

My reason for wanting HRM to have a stadium is because I think that it is one more piece in the puzzle in getting people to come and stay in Halifax. Certainly Halifax is already part of the way there, in attracting people to the city. The new convention centre will be another piece in the puzzle as was the Metro Centre in the past, plus all of the other great things that Halifax has going for it.

hfx_chris · #**507** Posted **Dec 16, 2009, 1:47 PM**

Direct link to the PDF:
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2349/stadiumreport2.pdf

hfx_chris · #**508** Posted **Dec 16, 2009, 2:09 PM**

Good read fenwick, I congratulate you on that document - however you left out the most important consideration at the end of the document - land availability. I hate to keep going on about this, but the Willow Park site is owned by DND, and unless anybody here has information they're holding back, DND hasn't shown any desire to remove their operations from that site.

Wishblade · #**509** Posted **Dec 16, 2009, 2:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Good read fenwick, I congratulate you on that document - however you left out the most important consideration at the end of the document - land availability. I hate to keep going on about this, but the Willow Park site is owned by DND, and unless anybody here has information they're holding back, DND hasn't shown any desire to remove their operations from that site.

Well, I mentioned earlier in this thread that DND does plan to tear down many of the structures in willow park. whether they will replace them on the same land or sell the land Im not sure about. And I believe the date for this is somewhere around 2015.

-Harlington- · #**510** Posted **Dec 16, 2009, 4:54 PM**

has anyone actuelly e-mailed any counsilers yet??
because if not i might wanna send that summary to some local ones, i think its a very well written summary of what this is all about.
maybe if you can get other e-mails like local buisness owners and other politicians like maybe peter kelly, or darrell dexter, peter mackay, or even buisness not in the halifax area to show support and or contribute, hell, why not call up ctv, global , cbc ect.
but if you could send me that summary pdf and emails ect, i could maybe send it out to people.

fenwick16 · #**511** Posted **Dec 16, 2009, 10:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Good read fenwick, I congratulate you on that document - however you left out the most important consideration at the end of the document - land availability. I hate to keep going on about this, but the Willow Park site is owned by DND, and unless anybody here has information they're holding back, DND hasn't shown any desire to remove their operations from that site.

Thanks for the comments hfx_chris. And also thanks for giving the direct link. Now I know how to do it.

hfx_chris · #**512** Posted **Dec 16, 2009, 10:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wishblade

Well, I mentioned earlier in this thread that DND does plan to tear down many of the structures in willow park. whether they will replace them on the same land or sell the land Im not sure about. And I believe the date for this is somewhere around 2015.

Yes you did, but as you said that doesn't say whether or not DND has any plans to uproot itself from that location, so my point stands. Besides, if they're planning to decomission those buildings around 2015, add a few years of soil remediation and Canada Lands bureaucracy onto that, and we'd be looking at definitely the later part of the decade before any shovels are in the ground.

-Harlington- · #**513** Posted **Dec 17, 2009, 4:54 PM**

I have e-mailed, a few councillors and also Peter Kelly i sent a message containing information as to whats trying to be accomplished here and why, and also attachted the summary report prepared by fenwick16.
i got messages back from dawn sloane saying she may read it, and one back from peter kelly saying thank you for this information.
but i also recived this message back from Darren Fisher, a Dartmouth councillor:

Hey Sean,I have just sent your attachment to print. I will read the 6 pages very soon and get back to you. For the record, I am a big proponent of a stadium. talk soon. Darren

fenwick16 · #**514** Posted **Dec 17, 2009, 5:15 PM**

Excellent work Harlington! It would be great if a councilor would bring up the topic of a stadium at a city hall meeting. I think it would be a success if the HRM council would agree to set up a trust fund for the stadium.

I spoke to someone who is studying interior design (a branch of architecture, not interior decorating) who is interested in helping with the stadium models. I have seen his work and it is very good, so I hope to have some nice stadium models on the website in the next couple of months. Also, my son will set up the website (halifaxstadium.ca) in the next week with some basic information.

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Harlington-

I have e-mailed, a few councillors and also Peter Kelly i sent a message containing information as to whats trying to be accomplished here and why, and also attachted the summary report prepared by fenwick16.
i got messages back from dawn sloane saying she may read it, and one back from peter kelly saying thank you for this information.
but i also recived this message back from Darren Fisher, a Dartmouth councillor:

Hey Sean,I have just sent your attachment to print. I will read the 6 pages very soon and get back to you. For the record, I am a big proponent of a stadium. talk soon. Darren

q12 · #**515** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 2:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenwick16

I wrote a summary of the views of this thread and information from other internet sources. This report is at the following location: http://img231.imageshack.us/i/stadiumreport2.pdf/ I sent a copy of this to Councillor Sue Uteck a couple of days ago. I haven't received a response as of yet (However, it has only been 2 days so this is meant as criticising the Councillor).

Based on articles that I have seen on the internet, it appears as though the HRM council wants to get an international event in order to get federal funding to build a stadium. However, in my opinion because of the failed Commonwealth Games bid and a lack of a stadium, it will be difficult for Halifax to get any large international events in the future. So it is a catch 22 situation.

In my opinion anyone who is really serious about getting a stadium for Halifax should be writing to the HRM councilors. Their emails are at http://www.halifax.ca/districts/index.html

If Halifax would select a site and start even a modest stadium then it will have a far better chance of attracting international events and then receive federal funding to expand the stadium. I would personally contribute $2,000 if HRM would set up a trust fund for a stadium and I think that there are many others who would contribute money. I would only want to contribute directly to the HRM council or staff.

My reason for wanting HRM to have a stadium is because I think that it is one more piece in the puzzle in getting people to come and stay in Halifax. Certainly Halifax is already part of the way there, in attracting people to the city. The new convention centre will be another piece in the puzzle as was the Metro Centre in the past, plus all of the other great things that Halifax has going for it.

Great work Fenwick16, this really gives readers a summary of the ideas that this forum has been putting forward.

-Harlington- · #**516** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 4:00 PM**

i got this message back from dawn sloane:

Hi Sean
I sure do support such an endeavour and have been researching out of the box ideas for such a structure.
http://images.google.com/images?q=marina..._group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBAQsAQwAA

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/asia/singapore/floating_stadium.shtml

http://wikimapia.org/5530183/Marina-Bay-Floating-Stadium

http://www.singaporeyoutholympicgames.com/yog-venues/marina-bay-floating-stadium/

Cool Eh? I think we need to think of several options for the structure and also make sure we have some type of private funding for the naming of the building. Just makes sense.

Dawn

Cordially,
Dawn Marie Sloane
District 12 Councillor
Halifax - Downtown
Halifax Regional Municipality

MaritimeCFLFan · #**517** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 6:37 PM**

Good work Harlington, Fenwick and all. Getting word to HRM councillors about whats trying to be done here is great. And even better to find there is some support on council. Keep up the good work, I look forward to your site being up and running soon Fenwick. Once that happens we can use it as a true rallying point for everyone in support of a stadium. I'd suggest it needs to have a forum for general discussion, a link to a brand new signature and comment petition to HRM in support of a stadium, a seperate signature and comment list supporting the CFL in Halifax if a stadium is built, ability to hold polls on various issues, possible stadium locations and designs.

fenwick16 · #**518** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 10:46 PM**

Great work Harlington in contacting the HRM councillors. That is an interesting reply from Councillor Sloane. Maybe this endeavor isn't so far fetched after all. It is good to see that the stadium project is still in the minds of some of the councillors.

Thanks for the suggestions MaritimeCFLFan. For anyone reading this post who is interested, the Google Sketchup program is a very powerful tool for doing 3-D computer models. There are a great variety of models that can be downloaded and altered. Also there are downloadable sections of stands, etc. There is a free and pro version of this software. For anyone interested in making such models it would be a great feature of the website. Once the model is drawn it can be downloaded to various locations on Google Earth. The most popular model could be selected and sent to the councilors by email. It would even be possible to have an actual physical model made by CNC and then present it to the councilors.

hfx_chris · #**519** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 11:31 PM**

Hah. That floating stadium is hilarious. It's a really neat idea, and it would be awesome to see a match at a place like that, but it would definitely never work in Halifax and its climate/sewage.
Still neat though.

Phalanx · #**520** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 11:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Hah. That floating stadium is hilarious. It's a really neat idea, and it would be awesome to see a match at a place like that, but it would definitely never work in Halifax and its climate/sewage.
Still neat though.

...I'm trying very hard not to make a toilet bowl reference at the mention of sewage...