Halifax Stadium Discussion

[q12]

Originally Posted by beyeas

A kick at a World Cup
Halifax could be part of 2015 women’s soccer bid

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1210412.html

This is the kind of a event Halifax needs to get the stadium we want built. Organizers for this type of event will likely want the host cities to be some of the larger major populated cities across the country to ensure higher attendance. Halifax's track record for successfully hosting all three World Hockey Championships (World's Men's, Women's and Junior's) should be helpful when bidding.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

The very first comment on the Chronicle Herald story was by Halifax's own Mr. No - Bruce DeVenne (he is already gearing up to oppose this bid).

(source: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1210412.html#comment-13119 )

I have never seen anyone lay so much claim to tax dollars and/or be so misguided as Bruce DeVenne.

[fenwick16]

There are a couple more articles in the Chronicle Herald today about a stadium:

Soccer bid inspires stadium dreams - http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1210560.html

Why talk of a new stadium makes sense - http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/1210530.html

The articles have quotes from several politicians in the provincial and municipal government. Most seem to be in favour. It seems like the amount of $25 million is being thrown about. This would be a good start, especially if it were designed to be expanded in the future. I was hoping that it would be more in the $50 million - $70 million range for a stadium with 20,000 permanent seats and permanent washrooms, one that could be expanded in the future. McMahon Stadium in Calgary started off as a 22,000 seat stadium in 1960 back when Calgary would have been a much smaller municipality than Halifax is now.

If Halifax could get about $20 million from the federal government, then maybe they could also get about $20 million from private interests. Then if the HRM and Nova Scotia threw in $30 million ($15 million each) there would be enough for a much more substantial stadium (that would be a total of $70 million). The idea of allowing people to contribute to a building fund isn't mentioned. Why not give people the chance to raise money for something more substantial than a $25 million dollar stadium?

PS: One more small article - http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1210582.html
It is good to see it getting quite a bit of publicity. maybe this time it will be built.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by Empire

I have never seen anyone lay so much claim to tax dollars and/or be so misguided as Bruce DeVenne.

I saw that too and went through the article; his comment made me laugh. But what made me laugh even more was the response to a comment Fenwick made and someone elses. Here they are; they will make you chuckle:

This is what fenwick wrote (great comment btw):
Bruce,

Why not help the Halifax area get something that many have desired for decades (an economical stadium)? People need some fun in their lives also! Instead of opposing this, you could get involved and give ideas on an economical stadium that will benefit the area.

This was a couple responses:
Bruce be Positive? Very unlikely!
Fenwick16, you have to understand that it is always easier to critize than make positive constructive suggestions, that Sir is why Bruce takes the easy way and critizes everything! Thank gawd the voters of Sackville turned him down as a councillor!

This one took the cake for me:
Bruce Alert
As soon as I saw this headline I thought Oh Boy, I wonder if Bruce has seen this. Surely he needs something else to complain about. Sure enough, he's number 1. I only wish I was as wise and an expert in all things from staging sporting events to architecture.

I spit my coffee out I was laughing so hard.

[fenwick16]

I may be grasping at straws in looking for information, but I found the following on the halifax.ca site under HRM Community Request for Infrastructure List (http://www.halifax.ca/IAM/InfrastructureList.html).

(source: http://www.halifax.ca/IAM/Documents/infrastructurelistevaluationexternalreport.pdf)

Stadium - Sports/CFL 65,000 (000's)

It indicates a $65 million dollar price tag for a stadium. That amount could obtain a nice economical stadium that might be suitable for the CFL. I hope that this is the type of stadium that will be proposed for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

I may be grasping at straws in looking for information, but I found the following on the halifax.ca site under HRM Community Request for Infrastructure List (http://www.halifax.ca/IAM/InfrastructureList.html).

(source: http://www.halifax.ca/IAM/Documents/infrastructurelistevaluationexternalreport.pdf)


It indicates a $65 million dollar price tag for a stadium. That amount could obtain a nice economical stadium that might be suitable for the CFL. I hope that this is the type of stadium that will be proposed for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Excellent find. Now someone has to spearhead the stadium drive. Don Mills has the experience but the public might be a bit weary after the CWG affair.

[c-way-dude]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

I may be grasping at straws in looking for information, but I found the following on the halifax.ca site under HRM Community Request for Infrastructure List (http://www.halifax.ca/IAM/InfrastructureList.html).

(source: http://www.halifax.ca/IAM/Documents/infrastructurelistevaluationexternalreport.pdf)


It indicates a $65 million dollar price tag for a stadium. That amount could obtain a nice economical stadium that might be suitable for the CFL. I hope that this is the type of stadium that will be proposed for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

I think this goes back to when the federal government announced the infrastructure funding plan to kickstart the economy. Municipalities were asked to submit a list of projects for consideration. I recall a $65 million dollar stadium on the list of projects Halifax submitted for consideration.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by c-way-dude

I think this goes back to when the federal government announced the infrastructure funding plan to kickstart the economy. Municipalities were asked to submit a list of projects for consideration. I recall a $65 million dollar stadium on the list of projects Halifax submitted for consideration.

I think that this might be the case since I also recall the stimulus program list. Some of the things listed have already occurred such as the Farmers Market and Pier 21 National Immigration Centre. Still it gives an idea of the price being considered for a stadium. By now, maybe $70 million for a stadium would be a better estimate (with inflation).

[thurmas]

Finally something a real news item regarding a stadium in Halifax. Maybe Moncton is pushing your politicians I don't care just get it done.You guys deserve CFL already and I bet most of Canada wants you guys in the league already too. Hopefully this is a spark that finally builds a stadium.

[Dartboy]

Originally Posted by Empire

Excellent find. Now someone has to spearhead the stadium drive. Don Mills has the experience but the public might be a bit weary after the CWG affair.

NOt sure I want him or his cronies involved. He just seems to support eveything development wise without ever any consideration on costs. he constantly crticizes council. The CWG was a mess and then they had some group that was going to run for council - cant even remember name as it fell apart also ( not FUSION).

Of course I now have the Bruce filter on as he is completely anti everything.

Both of them have little credibility with me. Perhaps we can find some new blood not tainted by past miscues to step up. Many of our business leaders are not engaged simply because they choose to stay out of the limelight due to work and family commitments. I dont have any suggestions. But I would like to see people who will not have a vested interest business wise in the contruction or marketing of a stadium and a bid for these games. Just seems like the same old crew everytime on these things.

I really think we need a new stadium - more so than a CC. Of course $$$$ talk with me.

[halifaxboyns]

I would think that a good person to spearhead a new convention centre would be someone in the business community who can rally people behind him or could be the initial big sponsor for the team that could end up there.

I can't think of any local business people off the top of my head; it's been so long and I'm out of the loop - but for the sake of success, it should avoid any use of people from the CWG bid - that will just set off Bruce to no end.

Perhaps the head of Eastlink? Or Bell Aliant? Or Air Canada Jazz (after all; it's Headquarters is at the Halifax Airport and who better to have sponsoring than an airline - to bring people in!?)?

[Empire]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I would think that a good person to spearhead a new convention centre would be someone in the business community who can rally people behind him or could be the initial big sponsor for the team that could end up there.

I can't think of any local business people off the top of my head; it's been so long and I'm out of the loop - but for the sake of success, it should avoid any use of people from the CWG bid - that will just set off Bruce to no end.

Perhaps the head of Eastlink? Or Bell Aliant? Or Air Canada Jazz (after all; it's Headquarters is at the Halifax Airport and who better to have sponsoring than an airline - to bring people in!?)?

JAZZ Stadium or ACJ Field?

[fenwick16]

I wish the HRM would set up a building fund. There are two sources of revenue:
1) Big companies like Sobeys, Jazz ...
2) Private citizens who would like to make smaller contributions of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

I would hope that about $20 million could be raised. Then with contributions from the 3 levels of government perhaps a $70 million dollar expandable stadium could be built.

[Dartboy]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I would think that a good person to spearhead a new convention centre would be someone in the business community who can rally people behind him or could be the initial big sponsor for the team that could end up there.

I can't think of any local business people off the top of my head; it's been so long and I'm out of the loop - but for the sake of success, it should avoid any use of people from the CWG bid - that will just set off Bruce to no end.

Perhaps the head of Eastlink? Or Bell Aliant? Or Air Canada Jazz (after all; it's Headquarters is at the Halifax Airport and who better to have sponsoring than an airline - to bring people in!?)?

did you mean Stadium as this is the Stadium thread and I was talking Stadium drive

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by Dartboy

did you mean Stadium as this is the Stadium thread and I was talking Stadium drive

A building fund for a stadium - that's what this thread is about.

[fenwick16]

I think that it would be a good idea to get a list of stadium styles that people like that could be sent to the organizers of the Halifax entry of the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Although for most of the past year I have been dreaming of a sunken bowl stadium, I have now completely changed my mind to a single tier stadium that is built with the playing field at ground level (or only slightly sunken if there is some benefit). I also like the idea of a stadium that is built so that a second tier can be added in the future such as with the Cardiff City Stadium (there is room under the roof for an additional 8 - 9 rows in a second tier directly below the roof). My first choice would be one like the Cardiff City Stadium. The playing field is large enough for FIFA International Soccer but would have to be increased in length by about 70 feet for Canadian football. The Cardiff City Stadium (below) was built for £48 million (about $77 million Canadian) but it has a few bells and whistles that could likely be removed to make it cheaper (for example the second tier on the one side and luxury suites could possibly be removed in order to save several million dollars).

(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiff_City_Stadium )

[beyeas]

I agree that Cardiff is a great basic model... my only comment would be that I think axing the suites will make it much less palatable for a potential CFL owner, as my understand is that these are major revenue generators (although maybe funding for that part should therefore be raised privately rather than publicly?).

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by beyeas

I agree that Cardiff is a great basic model... my only comment would be that I think axing the suites will make it much less palatable for a potential CFL owner, as my understand is that these are major revenue generators (although maybe funding for that part should therefore be raised privately rather than publicly?).

I agree. This might be necessary for the FIFA Cup also since it will likely be broadcast on TV. I think that Halifax is in an ideal spot to attract European visitors for the FIFA games due to its proximity to Europe (with open skies policies and an extension to the runway maybe Halifax will get more direct flights by that time - airplanes making fueling stops in Halifax will be able to unload and take on passengers, if my understanding is correct).

The way that the stadium is built, another grandstand could be built quite easily on the other side also, at a later date. As a matter of fact, additional such areas could be built at each endzone at a later date. Once completely expanded, this stadium might also be suitable for the 2034 Men's FIFA Cup that might be held in Canada .

[Empire]

Here is a good news story from Truro about their Civic Centre. Their $48 million project was funded by Truro $23 million (where was Bruce?), the Feds $10 million (where was Bruce?), and believe it or not, $15 million through fundraising.

Civic Centre
http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1211901.html

[Empire]

I rest my case....................

Chronicle Herald
Submitted by Bruce DeVenne on Sun, 2010-10-31 09:52.
People have to smell the coffee of fiscal reality
A properly done study on a stadium said that a stadium even with a CFL team would be a financial burden on the HRM taxpayers. Move some of the new construction off the penninsula and you would solve some of the traffic problems. We need a library but build a library not a monument to political ego and overspending. If St Johm NB can build a functioning police atation for $22 million we should be able to fulfill our needs for a library for about that amount. Wake up! The province is in debt 13 billion and climbimg and are dumping costs directly on to the HRM homeowners we no longer can afford the insane spending spree that governments have been on for the past 30 or so years