Halifax Stadium Discussion

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Personal note: I heard Coderre being interviewed on this point the other evening on CBC. For FIFA to seriously consider Canada, we as a country would have to have about 10 stadiums capable of seating between 40-50,000 spectators. In addition to speculating about a stadium in Halifax, Coderre also mentioned Moncton by name, suggesting that the IAAF track stadium could be expanded.

What do you think Fenwick?

It sounds great and I really think that it might happen, in 30 - 40 years. By that time, I hope that Halifax will have a 30,000 seat stadium that can be expanded to 40,000.

For now I would like to see Halifax start promoting itself as a venue for the 2015 FIFA Womens World Cup (Canada is apparently the front runner for that event). Question for brettinhalifax - what can be done to make that happen?

[RyanNS]

Wow, I'd love to see the WC in Canada but honsetly I think the stadium infrastructure is far from in place. Aside from the Rogers Centre I don't think there are any stadiums that could currently host a WC match. I was at Montreal's Olympic Stadium for the U-21 WC a few years back and although the game was great I doubt there is anyway it would ever be approved for a senior level WC. And upgrading Moncton's stadium? They would have to start from scratch and build a new one!

Great idea and I hope it comes to fruition but I think at this point we are a long ways off. If this did come true though it could be key to Halifax finally getting a stadium.

[fenwick16]

It would truly be amazing, however they are talking about 2034 at the earliest. The Women's World Cup in 2015 could get Halifax the first stage of a stadium that could later be expanded. I wish there were plans for a stadium so that Halifax would be considered.

[isaidso]

Canada is closer to meeting FIFA WC stadia requirements than South Africa was before they bid. In the end, what exists now is irrelevant. It's what the bid promises to deliver that will get judged.

Canada presently has 3 60,000+ stadia:
1. MONTREAL: Olympic Stadium (65,255): install grass and retractable roof
2. EDMONTON: Commonwealth (60,081): re-install grass and minor upgrades
3. VANCOUVER: BC Place (59,841; just shy): install grass, getting a retractable roof

There will be 3 other stadia between 40,000 and 60,000 by 2014:
1. TORONTO: Skydome (53,506): install grass
2. WINNIPEG: New Bombers Stadium U/C (45,000 Grey Cup configuration): install grass
3. HAMILTON: Pan American Stadium planned (45,000 Grey Cup configuration): install grass

Four others could be built or upgraded:
1. CALGARY: McMahon Stadium (35,650): install grass, expanded to 55,000
2. OTTAWA: Lansdowne Park: install grass, expanded to 55,000
And 2 of these: HALIFAX, QUEBEC CITY, OR REGINA?

Regina is already proposing a fabulous stadium to replace Mosaic that could seat up to 55,000 fans, but it will probably be determined that at least one city in Atlantic Canada play host. Halifax and Regina then?

Semi-finals in Toronto and Vancouver. Finals in Montreal?

[Dalreg]

Wow your smoking some good stuff there. Winnipeg and Hamilton at 45,000+, maybe with the temporary seating set up for the Grey Cup.

If you're including temporary seating, hell ANY stadium in Canada could be 40,000+. Just a matter of how many seats to add.

In the 20-30 years before we would even be considered for a bid, the stadium situation in Canada will be completely different than it currently is. I would be surprised if The Big O in Montreal will still be around by 2050 as well as the Skydome.

[fenwick16]

Based on the fact that Canada has hosted a summer Olympic Games, and two winter Olympic Games, I think that it will be possible to host the World Cup sometime in the distant future. For now Canada has to start working on improving its soccer performance so that it can move up in the rankings and start qualifying for the World Cup in order to be a serious contender (based on what I have read, I don't really know much about it).

Australia, a much smaller country is bidding for the 2022 World Cup (they pulled out of the 2018 bid) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_2022_FIFA_World_Cup_bid . This article is interesting since it shows which stadiums would be FIFA compliant stadiums in Australia (the new Halifax Stadium will have to be compliant to international FIFA standards)

[brettinhalifax]

account deleted

[-Harlington-]

that's great that we are being considered, and really im looking for just about any excuse for a stadium right about now but living in halifax for all of my life i could never get to happy or hope for anything.
would be nice though

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by brettinhalifax

IMO the only thing that the gov't can do is for Halifax to build a stadium

Ideally an entrepreneur would step up and start a PDL/USL2/USL1/NASL team and a W-League team to go along with it. Like the owners of the Victoria Highlanders did.

http://www.victoriahighlandersfc.com/index.php

Of course, Halifax would have to step up and support any pro/semi-pro team that we get.

Here's the rub. A stadium that is suitable for PDL/USL2/USL-1/NASL/W-League is not suitable for the CFL/concerts/FIFA tournaments.

Which leads me to... IMO Halifax nees two stadiums. A 5,000 seat soccer stadium and a 26,000 seat football/concert stadium

Here is a detailed description of the requirements for a FIFA World Cup Stadium (some of these would only be required for the Cup finals). VERY INTERESTING - http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tourname...mmendations_and_requirements_en_8211.pdf .

Would the Huskies Stadium do for the smaller 5,000 seat stadium? This would be a good size for semi-pro soccer and maybe NASL? I agree Halifax needs a better stadium that can be expanded for FIFA soccer and CFL (but it could start small - first stage of an eventual 30,000 seat stadium that could be temporarily expanded to 40,000)

[fenwick16]

The new Winnipeg Blue Bombers Stadium is now under construction. The design has changed somewhat over the past several months. I liked the previous roof design better than the current. Detailed seating layout drawings are here - http://www.blueandgold.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6&Itemid=7 . Below is one of the renderings of the stadium.

PS: Is there a way to resize images posted from the internet (like below)?
I know how to resize images uploaded to imageshack, but it would be convenient to be able to directly resize images in the editing mode of this forum.

(source: http://www.blueandgold.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6&Itemid=7 )

[Keith P.]

I really dislike that roof design.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I really dislike that roof design.

It looked better in the initial design several months ago. But I have to agree, I don't consider the roof to be appealing. However, I like the seating layout and overall design.

[hfx_chris]

Anyone else catch the BC Saskatchewan game last night? Aside from a very disappointing game (BC lost), the new stadium looks fantastic! It had a really warm, close feel to it, something that's lost in the larger stadiums. One of the commentators (Chris Cuthbert I think) even said there is no reason why something like this couldn't be built in a place like Halifax, especially with the $15M price tag. Add another $10-15M to it and you've probably got a permanent venue with the ability to add additional seats at a later date.

Anyway it was a very no-frills stadium, but the crowds seemed to love it for sure.

[fenwick16]

It looks like a good compact design. One reason that the cost was so low is because the stands were reused from the Vancouver Winter Olympics. I think the $14 million might not include the original cost of the stands.

It would be good to have a stadium that could be used for the FIFA World Women's Cup in 2015 (for the entertainment value and to get funding from the federal government). If built to FIFA field dimension standards (68m x 105m field and 85m x 125m including the sidelines) then maybe in 24 years it could be used for the FIFA World Men's Cup also (2034). Such a tournament would require 8 - 10 Canadian cities which could include Halifax.

Here is one that is reportedly suitable for FIFA tournaments and is a compact design. It is the new Stanford Stadium that was completely rebuilt for $90 million in 2005. It seats 50,000 which is more than what Halifax needs. If built with just the lower bowl in the endzones, and with lower sidelines then if would likely be close to 30,000 and could still be expanded to over 40,000 if ever necessary (for the Grey Cup or FIFA World Cup). I think this would look great in Halifax because of the landscaping around the stadium.

( source: http://football.ballparks.com/NCAA/Pac10/Stanford/newindex.htm )

[c-way-dude]

With the 49ers looking for a new stadium, I wonder why they wouldn't have joined with Stanford and built an NFL calibre stadium.
The same thing happened in Minnesota, where the university ended up building a 50000 seat outdoor stadium.

[brettinhalifax]

account deleted

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by brettinhalifax

The existing stadium is a dump and IMO is not suitable for SMU football and it wouldn't be suitable for any sort of professional team.

An entirely rebuilt Huskies Stadium would be fine for the 5,000 seat stadium.

SMU states plans to rebuild the stadium in their campus masterplan as shown below: It looks like all the seats are covered and it is probably 4,000 - 5,000 seats. However, this sounds like a medium - long term plan. Hopefully it will have modern artificial turf that is suitable for soccer (field turf might be suitable). Based on the description, it sounds like the dirt berm will be dug up and there will be space under the stands. This might be suitable for the North American Soccer League since this is similar in size to most North American Soccer League teams ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Soccer_League_%282010%29 ). However, for large concerts and other large sporting events, a larger municipal stadium would be required.

(source: http://www.smu.ca/masterplan/core.html)
The Stadium Building (C-6 & OS5)
The mound and bleachers should be replaced with a new Stadium Building that contains a mix of uses, including bleachers, food outlets, retail uses – such as the bookstore - and classrooms. A connection to the Loyola Building can be considered but should maintain pedestrian access between the Residence Terrace and the McNally Courtyard.

[c@taract_soulj@h]

We can always flub the Pan-Am games here in the Hammer and give em' to you guys down in Hali while we take the Womens FIFA Cup.

Puts less pressure on us since we can't make up our minds anyways and gives you more of a reason to build a stadium.

Sounds like a pretty even trade to me! We'll live with Ivor Wynne

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by c@taract_soulj@h

We can always flub the Pan-Am games here in the Hammer and give em' to you guys down in Hali while we take the Womens FIFA Cup.

Puts less pressure on us since we can't make up our minds anyways and gives you more of a reason to build a stadium.

Sounds like a pretty even trade to me! We'll live with Ivor Wynne

Sounds like Halifax and Hamilton should be sister cities - the politics sound similar for both. Regarding the FIFA Womens Cup, I think that several venues across Canada will be required, so both Halifax and Hamilton could be host cities (if Halifax can build a stadium).

[c-way-dude]

I don't think a soccer field could be fit into Ivor Wynne. There is very little room along the sidelines with the CFL field.