Halifax Stadium Discussion

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by c-way-dude

Does anyone think it would be worthwhile to go ahead with the trust fund without the HRM?
I am curious Fenwick, were the counciller's you met with aware of another group working towards a stadium?

The councillors were aware of the other group and even contacted them. I received the following reply from the other group (red font) which was relayed through Mr. Wayne Anstey of the HRM on January 25 2010 (in black font):

I passed your name on to the other group interested in constructing a stadium in Halifax. I received a reply this morning that stated:

"After discussions with the team today, we will not be contacting Mr
Langille at this time. We are open to future discussions, however we
believe that our current approach with input and guidance from the various
partners is progressing in the right direction."

Wayne Anstey
Deputy CAO - Operations, HRM

Since it was relayed through Mr Wayne Anstey I have no idea who the other group is. However, I take it as a positive sign that there is progress towards having a stadium built.

[c-way-dude]

Thanks. I guess all we can do is wait and hope.

[-Harlington-]

im very intrested about this other group,
if something does progress with this it would be nice to know whats going on

[Empire]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

The councillors were aware of the other group and even contacted them. I received the following reply from the other group (red font) which was relayed through Mr. Wayne Anstey of the HRM on January 25 2010 (in black font):




Since it was relayed through Mr Wayne Anstey I have no idea who the other group is. However, I take it as a positive sign that there is progress towards having a stadium built.

Maybe some funds from this source could start a Stadium drive?

Funds from Commonwealth bid may go to amateur sport
MONIQUE MUISE
METRO HALIFAX
February 01, 2010 12:00 a.m




The Halifax Regional Municipality could soon be getting an extra infusion of cash to support the development of amateur sport in the region.

According to a report set to go before regional council tomorrow, Halifax’s decision to drop its bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games back in 2007 resulted in extra money sitting around in the bid society’s coffers. The society decided those leftover funds, a total of $103,785, should be transferred to the municipality.

“Allocation of the funds is at the municipality’s discretion,” the report states.

Staff are suggesting the money be channelled into the Canada Games Legacy Fund, a $1-million pot designed to support amateur sport in Nova Scotia, including development of athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers.

“Incorporating the remaining funds from the Commonwealth Games bid into the Canada Games Legacy Fund will ensure that the money is available to all 55 recognized sport organizations in Nova Scotia,” the report says.

Council could also choose to use the funds to support other sport-related activities, or for a totally unrelated municipal project.

[fenwick16]

It is possible that the other group is SMU (this is just a guess, nobody has told me this). Are you thinking of a stadium drive for SMU? This might be the easiest way to get a stadium at this time.

Originally Posted by Empire

Maybe some funds from this source could start a Stadium drive?

Funds from Commonwealth bid may go to amateur sport
MONIQUE MUISE
METRO HALIFAX
February 01, 2010 12:00 a.m




The Halifax Regional Municipality could soon be getting an extra infusion of cash to support the development of amateur sport in the region.

According to a report set to go before regional council tomorrow, Halifax’s decision to drop its bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games back in 2007 resulted in extra money sitting around in the bid society’s coffers. The society decided those leftover funds, a total of $103,785, should be transferred to the municipality.

“Allocation of the funds is at the municipality’s discretion,” the report states.

Staff are suggesting the money be channelled into the Canada Games Legacy Fund, a $1-million pot designed to support amateur sport in Nova Scotia, including development of athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers.

“Incorporating the remaining funds from the Commonwealth Games bid into the Canada Games Legacy Fund will ensure that the money is available to all 55 recognized sport organizations in Nova Scotia,” the report says.

Council could also choose to use the funds to support other sport-related activities, or for a totally unrelated municipal project.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

It is possible that the other group is SMU (this is just a guess, nobody has told me this). Are you thinking of a stadium drive for SMU? This might be the easiest way to get a stadium at this time.

I think that if SMU is looking at stadium repairs it would make sense to expand. Hopefully a study would show that 10-12k permanent seats would work and another 10k temporary seats could fit.

[MaritimeCFLFan]

I am reserving judgement on this developement of another group. If it is indeed a SMU group and all they have planned is to upgrade the current stadium to 10,000 permanent seats then I'm not in favor as the current site really has little potential to expand much beyond those 10,000 seats. I hope it's a group that is trying to build a real stadium for Halifax. Something along the lines of a 25,000 permanent seat stadium with potential to expand further. We need to plan for the future and not be short sighted with the stadium issue. I think we will only get 1 crack at this so please lets do it right.

[dmont]

.

Too bad the trust fund thing didn't work out.

Kinda sucks that this other stadium group has stolen the thunder.

That's no reason to give up what should have been the focus all along.

The idea of a stadium in Halifax still needs to be SOLD to the voters in Halifax. The trust funds and the 3D and scale models were all a means to sell the idea.

Now that the trust fund idea didn't work out, it's time we turn to other methods: the website. Websites can be a powerful tool in aggregating public opinion, presenting ideas, arguments, etc.

Everyone serious about getting a CFL calibre stadium in Halifax needs to become VERY familiar with this website:

http://www.jetsowner.com/

This site was started by an average joe. Its a one-stop-shop for anything anyone ever wanted to know about the idea of NHL hockey returning to Winnipeg. It discusses serious issues like corporate support, facilities, the business of sport, league news, comments by influential public figures, a forum, the list goes on and on. The guy behind the website does (or at least DID) radio interviews, took calls from politicians, businessmen, etc about this topic. He collects anything and everything from the media ever said regarding the topic.

While it does contain some technical elements, the overriding purpose of the website is to get people talking and thinking seriously about the topic. It's something that the media can latch onto. It's SALES CENTRAL in the fight to bring a professional sports franchise to a Canadian city.

THE BEST PART: This kind of public opinion exercise will actually HELP whoever this other stadium group is by building a sound argument in favour of the spirit of their project, and they would be able to cite us as a reflection of public support!

I'm ready to contribute in any way I can to this kind of endeavor. Anyone else think this is a good idea?

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by dmont

I'm ready to contribute in any way I can to this kind of endeavor. Anyone else think this is a good idea?

Yeah, its a great idea. Fact is, it would need to be a full time job and I think a number of people on this board could bring it to fruition.

There needs to be a figurehead and this individual needs to be established and a baller.

From a marketing and sponsorship perspective perspective, combined with retail and residential, this thing could be a gamechanger for Halifax.

I think what there needs to be is a developer with a diverse portfolio connected to this idea.

Hardest part is getting a franchise. If somebody on here can do that, I will come work for them and help to make a sports franchise a reality.

[dmont]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Yeah, its a great idea. Fact is, it would need to be a full time job and I think a number of people on this board could bring it to fruition.

There needs to be a figurehead and this individual needs to be established and a baller.

From a marketing and sponsorship perspective perspective, combined with retail and residential, this thing could be a gamechanger for Halifax.

I think what there needs to be is a developer with a diverse portfolio connected to this idea.

Hardest part is getting a franchise. If somebody on here can do that, I will come work for them and help to make a sports franchise a reality.

I think we need to take it one step at a time. Unless there's a secret billionaire among us here on the board, I don't think there's much we can do in the way of actually PLACING a franchise in Halifax.

What we CAN do is create an environment favourable to politicians and businesspeople willing to take a gamble on taking up the stadium cause.

The website is the most effective way to do this. It won't take a full time job, and can be created and maintained by volunteers.

[fenwick16]

Worldhaligonian and dmont, you are 100% right. One thing that I realize from speaking to the councillors and working on the 3D models is that there is a great deal of work to be done. As you stated dmont, "The trust funds and the 3D and scale models were all a means to sell the idea". This whole exercise has becoming overwhelming to me since I realize how much work is involved. For this to become a reality it most likely will take a few years and many people will need to become involved. If the other group that is involved has the means to move this forward then this is what I want since it will result in a stadium being constructed. So to me, this is a positive. At this point, we have no idea whether this other group is a strong group with some financial means to make the stadium happen or just a start-up group. There is even the possibility that the other group is just a red herring; a story to divert our attention away from a stadium. The feeling that I got from the meeting is that there is too much going on in the HRM right now for the councillors to be thinking of a stadium.

As worldlyhaligonian stated "There needs to be a figurehead and this individual needs to be established and a baller.". As I have stated before I am more of a technical person with a passion to see a stadium in the HRM. I normally would not have gone to a meeting with city councillors and I would not have wanted any of the publicity that goes with it. We need someone with a strong passion who can also be a figurehead. I would like to do whatever I can to help with this cause but for this to move forward we need someone who is very determined and is prepared to spend a great deal of time devoted to this cause. This person also needs to be willing to speak to people in the media. We will especially need someone in the Halifax area who can follow up with the councillors, media and also do some detective work to find out what is really happening, or if anything is really happening with regards to the other group.

[-Harlington-]

just to comment on this,
i found it pretty funny how on that website it showed attendances from some NHL games
and one of them was around 9000, which is pretty sad because, we've had that for moosehead games, more than once.

[MaritimeCFLFan]

Originally Posted by dmont

.

Too bad the trust fund thing didn't work out.

Kinda sucks that this other stadium group has stolen the thunder.

That's no reason to give up what should have been the focus all along.

The idea of a stadium in Halifax still needs to be SOLD to the voters in Halifax. The trust funds and the 3D and scale models were all a means to sell the idea.

Now that the trust fund idea didn't work out, it's time we turn to other methods: the website. Websites can be a powerful tool in aggregating public opinion, presenting ideas, arguments, etc.

Everyone serious about getting a CFL calibre stadium in Halifax needs to become VERY familiar with this website:

http://www.jetsowner.com/

This site was started by an average joe. Its a one-stop-shop for anything anyone ever wanted to know about the idea of NHL hockey returning to Winnipeg. It discusses serious issues like corporate support, facilities, the business of sport, league news, comments by influential public figures, a forum, the list goes on and on. The guy behind the website does (or at least DID) radio interviews, took calls from politicians, businessmen, etc about this topic. He collects anything and everything from the media ever said regarding the topic.

While it does contain some technical elements, the overriding purpose of the website is to get people talking and thinking seriously about the topic. It's something that the media can latch onto. It's SALES CENTRAL in the fight to bring a professional sports franchise to a Canadian city.

THE BEST PART: This kind of public opinion exercise will actually HELP whoever this other stadium group is by building a sound argument in favour of the spirit of their project, and they would be able to cite us as a reflection of public support!

I'm ready to contribute in any way I can to this kind of endeavor. Anyone else think this is a good idea?

YES YES YES!!!

Dmont,

This is exactly what we need, exactly the type of website I was hoping for to help gain local support for a CFL sized stadium in Halifax. We need a site where the average Joe's can sign their name in support and comment about their wishes, a chance to say if you build it I will come, I will buy season tickets, etc. as well as any business that is in support of the idea and willing to become a sponsor of a CFL team, soccer team or whatever. It needs to contain all the news we can find about the subject. It needs to show what other CFL cities are doing in regards to building new stadiums, renovating existing ones, etc. and the various ways these projects can be funded. We just need a site to get people talking, get interested and eventually demand that something positive happens.

[MaritimeCFLFan]

While I am useless at trying to design such a website I would be willing to volunteer to help maintain it once I learn all the in's and out's of it. There really needs to be a person or group of persons that actually live in the HRM to be the main administrators of the site. Is there anyone who posts here that would be willing? I myself do not live in the HRM, however was born in Halifax but been living away from the city for nearly 30 years. I am only 1 hour drive away and therefore am very interested in seeing a stadium being built. As I have stated earlier before I would be a season ticket holder of any CFL franchise that were to be based in Halifax even though I doubt I could make all the games due to my work. I am sure there are others where I live that would either buy season tickets or attend as many games as they could. Lets try to get rolling with the website.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by MaritimeCFLFan

While I am useless at trying to design such a website I would be willing to volunteer to help maintain it once I learn all the in's and out's of it. There really needs to be a person or group of persons that actually live in the HRM to be the main administrators of the site. Is there anyone who posts here that would be willing? I myself do not live in the HRM, however was born in Halifax but been living away from the city for nearly 30 years. I am only 1 hour drive away and therefore am very interested in seeing a stadium being built. As I have stated earlier before I would be a season ticket holder of any CFL franchise that were to be based in Halifax even though I doubt I could make all the games due to my work. I am sure there are others where I live that would either buy season tickets or attend as many games as they could. Lets try to get rolling with the website.

This website started by fenwick should work fine. Why not add to it rather than have more than one website?

http://halifaxstadium.ca/introduction

[MaritimeCFLFan]

Originally Posted by Empire

This website started by fenwick should work fine. Why not add to it rather than have more than one website?

http://halifaxstadium.ca/introduction

If fenwick's website can be altered to work for the types of things we need to add then sure it's fine. If it can't work the way we need it to then perhaps it is necessary to create a new one and incorporate fenwick's into it. I am strongly in favor of having a forum in the halifaxstadium.ca website itself and not asking people to direct their comments here. I think it would just work better. Also I think it should have it's own petition starting anew to gage current interest. Various new polls in the site itself would be good. Perhaps the ability to offer people the option to become official members of the site. Offer people the option of not just saying they would be in favour of a new stadium but why (example. if you support the building of a new stadium for CFL football sign here, if you support the building of a new stadium for a pro Halifax soccer franchise sign here, or I support the building of a new stadium for concerts sign here, or sign all that apply to you. Just doing anything we can that will get people involved and interacting. If there is to be a new stadium built in Halifax it will need to be multi-purpose so lets try to get everyone involved.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by MaritimeCFLFan

If fenwick's website can be altered to work for the types of things we need to add then sure it's fine. If it can't work the way we need it to then perhaps it is necessary to create a new one and incorporate fenwick's into it. I am strongly in favor of having a forum in the halifaxstadium.ca website itself and not asking people to direct their comments here. I think it would just work better. Also I think it should have it's own petition starting anew to gage current interest. Various new polls in the site itself would be good. Perhaps the ability to offer people the option to become official members of the site. Offer people the option of not just saying they would be in favour of a new stadium but why (example. if you support the building of a new stadium for CFL football sign here, if you support the building of a new stadium for a pro Halifax soccer franchise sign here, or I support the building of a new stadium for concerts sign here, or sign all that apply to you. Just doing anything we can that will get people involved and interacting. If there is to be a new stadium built in Halifax it will need to be multi-purpose so lets try to get everyone involved.

Feel free to use any material on the website. I considered having a comments section and even bought the vbulletin software (which this Skyscraperpage forum uses) but I had concerns over what might be posted. If people start posting offensive material then the administrator of the website might be held responsible. Since Skyscraperpage has moderators to prevent such abuse, I felt that it would be safest to direct them to this forum.

My son did the website and since he is more familiar with Drupal software he used it for the website. This is free software and it can be set up with a forum section and various usernames. You can get it from the following link: http://drupal.org/about

I haven't given up on an HRM stadium and I think that it would be great to have more people involved in promoting it.

[fenwick16]

MaritimeCFLFan you have a reason to be annoyed. If SMU is not allowed to have a CFL size stadium in the Southend and the HRM will not proceed with a CFL size stadium then that means that the HRM council is preventing a CFL team from locating in Halifax. There are anti-development councillors and residents in the Halifax area (however, the councillors present during the meeting on January 18 2010 were all very supportive of a stadium).

I am stating this because it is unfair to CFL fans in the Halifax area to state otherwise. People who are annoyed, have a reason to be annoyed. The Halifax area should have had a CFL team back in 1983 when it was first granted a franchise. By now, the Halifax area probably would have had 2 - 3 Grey Cups held in this area.

In order to get a CFL team in Halifax it is going to take a great deal of work and people who are willing to organize a strong group. I am unable to do this since I live in the Toronto area. I have to be honest; just a website isn't going to accomplish this. You will have to change the opinions of not only city councillors but also city residents who don't understand the benefit of having a team in the Halifax area. A website will not reach these people since they will not be reading it. You will have to get your opinions in the newspapers and on TV. This is why I know I am not the one to accomplish it. Like worldlyhaligonian stated There needs to be a figurehead and this individual needs to be established and a baller. I hope there is someone in the Halifax area who is willing to be this person. That person must realise that he is going to be attacked by anti-development forces in the Halifax area.

J. I. Albrecht tried to get a franchise in Halifax in 1983 and was unable to do it. He was established and had connections in the CFL ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.I._Albrecht ) . I don't know if there is anyone of that calibre willing to push for a CFL team in the Halifax area again.

When councillors state that they want a stadium in the Halifax area then they have to be able to back it up. We proposed a Trust Fund for a Stadium with us contributing money to it and they turned it down. What I proposed would take very little of their money. I was very disappointed since it shows that the city simply doesn't care about the CFL or a stadium. Councillors stating anything else is simply lip-service. If the city really cares then it should actively provide a means to have a team down here. I will write to the city councilors and mayor and let him know what I really think about their decision not to set up a trust fund but if others really want a team then you need to do more than set up a website; you need to go door to door and get people on your side and start writing to the city. At the January 18 meeting, I was told by one councillor to take my website down because people were starting to contact them about a stadium. That indicates to me that it is going to take a lot of effort to get a stadium in the Halifax area. People proposing an HRM stadium will also be verbally attacked by anti-development groups.

How many people are really prepared to go ahead with this? I was the only one at the meeting even though I contacted 26 people through the private messaging.

PS: In addition, a lack of funding from both the provincial and municipal government is also an important issue: http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1165561.html

[MaritimeCFLFan]

Just a bit frustrated with this turn of events regarding the trust fund idea. I can't help but wonder if there actually is another group at all or if this is just a convenient way to dismiss the stadium issue again. If they actually wanted you to take down your website fenwick this really makes me wonder. If there is another group who are they? Why have we heard nothing about it at all? Why would they not be interested in meeting with members of this forum to at least exchange ideas. If there really is another group I would think they would want to make their intentions known to the people of the HRM in order to gage the reaction. I honestly hope there is another group with a means of getting a stadium build but until we have actual facts about who this group is there are alot of blanks to fill in and I will remain skeptical.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by MaritimeCFLFan

Just a bit frustrated with this turn of events regarding the trust fund idea. I can't help but wonder if there actually is another group at all or if this is just a convenient way to dismiss the stadium issue again. If they actually wanted you to take down your website fenwick this really makes me wonder. If there is another group who are they? Why have we heard nothing about it at all? Why would they not be interested in meeting with members of this forum to at least exchange ideas. If there really is another group I would think they would want to make their intentions known to the people of the HRM in order to gage the reaction. I honestly hope there is another group with a means of getting a stadium build but until we have actual facts about who this group is there are alot of blanks to fill in and I will remain skeptical.

If there isn`t another group then the people suggesting so need to be held accountable. It is so sad that this is typical and shows how the wrong group are in charge of HRM`s future. There should be zero secrecy regarding the other group. This is not a bid competition and certainly HRM has put no money or effort into the initative that requires such a Kelly style shroud of secrecy.