Halifax Stadium Discussion

[-Harlington-]

Originally Posted by ATL Stadium

Sorry Folks
Have been pretty busy lately.

From what I have heard HRM will be in the mix for a funding opportunity for a couple of potential international events. The mix will be able to bring a stadium back to front of the local decision makers. Thinking along those lines there would likely be two things happening.

1) SMU gets Husky Stadium back into serviceable shape for seating of 5000

2) a U shape stadium 25000 seat Atlantic Stadium gets built at Shannon Park. The open end would allow for additional seating when required and or a stage component for concerts etc etc.

Opps! did say all that out loud?????

i would also like to know info behind this like is it legit?

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Waye Mason

What the hell? So is this another case of public consultation AFTER the decision is made?

Is Sport NS involved? Is there a business plan? Who will operate it? Have the Mikmaq been bought off? When were the stakeholders/users consulted? Has Canada Lands approved this transaction? Has there been a single official public discussion of this other than the Mayor asking about where a stadium should go on his facebook page?

This is the kind of thing that makes people who care about trying to engage the public crazy.

They don't even know yet if Halifax will become a host city. However, I think that the public consultations should start right away. Personally, I think a stadium on the peninsula is best, but I would support whatever decision the organizers reach on a stadium. If private contributions are required, then I think that a building fund should be set up as soon as conceptual renderings of a stadium are released - let's get this done - please (we have all waited long enough)

Waye Mason, this was in the news a couple of weeks ago - were you out of town?

[cormiermax]

Canada bidding to host FIFA Women's World Cup

OTTAWA - The Canadian Soccer Association will bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2015.

Canada is one of several countries currently preparing its bid to present to FIFA by Feb. 11.

In September, countries formally expressed their intent to FIFA to host the tournament and subsequently were provided the official bid guidelines.

The Women's World Cup 2011 will be played in Germany this coming summer.

For 2015, the event will expand from 16 to 24 participating countries and from 32 to 52 matches.

With six-straight wins, Canada is now the ninth-ranked country on the FIFA women's world rankings.

"We are proud that the largest participation sport in this country for girls and women is soccer," said Canadian Soccer Association general secretary Peter Montopoli. "Hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 provides exceptional opportunity for the hundreds of thousands of female soccer players in Canada to be inspired by the world's best players and to support the national team as they represent their country on the international stage on home soil."

In 2007, Canada hosted the FIFA U-20 World Cup, attracting close to 1.2-million spectators to the 52 matches.


Read more: http://www.canada.com/sports/Canada+bidding+host+FIFA+Women+World/3883968/story.html#ixzz16OasPxhW

[MaritimeCFLFan]

Hey All,

I still hang around this forum quite often just to see whats being said. I have not posted much lately as I really have not alot new to say myself.

I am still a huge supporter for a stadium being built somewhere in the HRM. I'd prefer to see it built right the first time of course, this means a minimum 25,000 permanent seat facility with the possibility of further expansion of both permanent and temporary seating. I'm a huge CFL fan and hope to someday see a team in Halifax. Sign me up for season tickets!

It's truly sad that such a facility does not already exist. I do feel confident that our time is coming though and I can't wait.

See...I told you I had nothing new to say!

[fenwick16]

To be honest, I am hoping for what MaritimeCFLFan is hoping for. A 25,000 seat permanent stadium that can be temporarily expanded when necessary. I know that the expense is difficult to justify and for that reason federal money is required. However, I really hope that organizers of the Halifax FIFA Cup bid won't let financial concerns scare them away from bidding. Give residents (and ex-residents) a chance to raise some of the money for a decent stadium.

Once the stadium is under construction then we can start raising the $7,000,000 for the CFL franchise fee. I wonder if Trade Centre Ltd. could have a separate division to raise money for a CFL team and actually run a municipal team through that division of the Trade Centre Ltd. Residents and ex-residents could buy shares in the Halifax based CFL team in order to raise money for the franchise fee and to cover any yearly shortfall.

PS: It appears from the article posted by cormiermax that the Canadian bid must be presented by February 11, 2011 (it won't be decided at that time as I previously stated). Based on when the 2011 Cup was presented to Germany in October 2007 (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_FIFA_Women%27s_World_Cup ), we should know if Canada has been selected by October of 2011. However, if the Canadian bid is submitted in February 2011, then around that time we will know if Halifax has been included as a host city and hopefully see a rendering of the proposed Halifax Stadium.

[-Harlington-]

i was reading a bunch of articles on that today and in most of them it mentioned that eight cities have expressed interest, Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, Moncton and Halifax.

[MaritimeCFLFan]

Today in the Chronicle Herald there is another little peace on how Halifax and several other cities could benefit if Canada wins the right to host the 2015 Womens World Cup.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/1213931.html

[halifaxboyns]

I think we are all hoping for the same thing and I would assume (correct me if I'm wrong) we all believe it would be best to build it right the first time. It seems to me we've agreed that having temporary seating to accommodate a CFL team is a false economy - it would be more hastle than it's worth.

I honestly see a stadium as a selling point for groups like save the commons (or whatever it's called). I may be wrong, but with the exception of a couple concerts on the commons most of them would be able to handle 25,000 seat stadium, plus you could have a lot more people on the field in front of the stage. Although, I just realized that not all the seats would be used for a concert - so maybe that wouldn't work so well. But something tells me that you could reduce some of the concerts on the commons. Black Eyed Peas was what, 25k maybe 30k? So you may be able to sell this and get support from that group as a reduction (not total elimination) of concerts on the commons grounds.

I admit, living in Calgary I can't provide much assistance to the 'cause', but rest assured I do keep watching for an opportunity to come home. If I get my chance, I too would be a season ticket holder. I'd probably by a family bunch of tickets, since my family is sports obsessed.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I honestly see a stadium as a selling point for groups like save the commons (or whatever it's called). I may be wrong, but with the exception of a couple concerts on the commons most of them would be able to handle 25,000 seat stadium, plus you could have a lot more people on the field in front of the stage. Although, I just realized that not all the seats would be used for a concert - so maybe that wouldn't work so well. But something tells me that you could reduce some of the concerts on the commons. Black Eyed Peas was what, 25k maybe 30k? So you may be able to sell this and get support from that group as a reduction (not total elimination) of concerts on the commons grounds.

A stadium with one end open would allow for most (if not all) of the stadium seats to be used plus about 20,000 on the field (1 person per 6 square feet which is quite a bit). So it is reasonable to expect a horseshoe stadium design to allow a capacity of 45,000 for concerts (the band stage would be set up at the open end of the stadium). Hopefully, the stadium would be built with lots of permanent washrooms to allow for this number.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by -Harlington-

i was reading a bunch of articles on that today and in most of them it mentioned that eight cities have expressed interest, Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, Moncton and Halifax.

That makes sense - Toronto and Hamilton aren't included because of the 2015 Pan-Am Games which they are jointly hosting.

[hfx_chris]

And if a concert is being held that would require less seating, they just move the stage closer in. They do the same thing at the Metro Centre for smaller concerts, the stage is closer to center ice and they only use half of the bowl.

Originally Posted by fenwick16

PS: It appears from the article posted by cormiermax that the Canadian bid must be presented by February 11, 2011 (it won't be decided at that time as I previously stated). Based on when the 2011 Cup was presented to Germany in October 2007 (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_FIFA_Women%27s_World_Cup ), we should know if Canada has been selected by October of 2011. However, if the Canadian bid is submitted in February 2011, then around that time we will know if Halifax has been included as a host city and hopefully see a rendering of the proposed Halifax Stadium.

Anyone want to bet you-know-who will be full throttle doing everything he can to sabotage the bid?

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Anyone want to bet you-know-who will be full throttle doing everything he can to sabotage the bid?

At least there will be some people prepared to oppose his opposition (peacefully, of course). He, and all his alter egos (or alter usernames that I swear exist in Chronicle Herald comment sections every time a pro development piece is written).

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

At least there will be some people prepared to oppose his opposition (peacefully, of course). He, and all his alter egos (or alter usernames that I swear exist in Chronicle Herald comment sections every time a pro development piece is written).

I'm assuming you are refering to 'b to the yuck' (if you get my drift)? I swear, the man wouldn't get things if a brick hit him. We had a huge rant fight on STV facebook - he kept going on about the province was so far in debt we shouldn't build NC, but we needed new hospitals. So I said, no you can't have them - we have too much debt. So I kept countering everything with no; because it would increase debt. It was so much fun to be as rediculous as him.

[Waye Mason]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Waye Mason, this was in the news a couple of weeks ago - were you out of town?

The only news I saw was Roger Taylor the business columnist in the Herald musing that a stadium would have meant that Power Promotions might not have lost money with the concerts this summer.

He would have lost money regardless of the setting, he paid too much for the wrong act.

Taylor's article lead to my 4 piece investigation of concert economics on my blog.

I do concerts, I teach event management, I know music, what Power tried to do just won't work here they way they were doing it, no matter what facility is built.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Waye Mason

I do concerts, I teach event management, I know music, what Power tried to do just won't work here they way they were doing it, no matter what facility is built.

I have to agree. The Black Eyed Peas group doesn't seem to be big enough to attract a big crowd.

30 years ago, it seems like there were dozens of bands that could sell out a large stadium. Now I can only think of a few.

[MaritimeCFLFan]

Another piece in the Herald today says as many as 9 Canadian cities could be in the running to host games for the 2015 Womens World Cup. Of these 9 cities Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver would be seen as shoo-ins. I'd have to add Ottawa to that group as well with their new stadium coming on-line for 2013 and Jeff Hunt already expressing interest in bringing a soccer team to Ottawa. With new stadium's coming in Winnipeg (2012) and Hamilton (Pan-Am Games 2015) I can't see them not hosting games as well. Edmonton has a history of hosting events like this as well so I'm sure that city will host too. Suddenly you have a very strong list of 7 cities that will probably all host games.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/1214125.html

Still leaves Halifax, Moncton and Quebec City as 3 possible cities left and with Moncton's new facility I'd bet they get a leg up on us too.

Halifax is still in the running but when I actually sat down and thought about everything I'm not sure how likely it is. I do suspect that there will be at least 1 new facility built in a city that currently has none, sort of a legacy of hosting the event so maybe thats our ticket.

[fenwick16]

Thanks for the link MaritimeCFLFan. I keep hoping for a more definite statement from Trade Centre Inc. or municipal officials that they plan to proceed. The excerpt from the article (below) indicates that Halifax might not be entered as a possible host city. That would be extremely disappointing, since it would indicate that there is very little chance of Halifax getting a stadium any time in the near future. I realize that Trade Centre Inc. isn't able to commit public funds to a stadium, but if they decide not to proceed then that will indicate that there is no real initiative from either the province or municipality to build a stadium (essentially this would be status quo to 27 years ago). Can't they even invest some time and some minimal HRM or provincial staff resources to raise money from private sources through a building fund? After all, the purpose of government is to provide services to the people they represent - setting up a building fund and administering such a fund seems to be the least that they could do. Doing nothing will be a slap across the face of the majority who are in favour of a stadium - although it will please the minority that are opposed.

Halifax still part of World Cup process
By MONTY MOSHER Sports Reporter
Sat, Nov 27 - 4:54 AM

The Canadian Soccer Association says Halifax remains a contender to be part of Canada’s bid for the 2015 FIFA World Women’s Cup despite the lack of a contemporary stadium or any known initiative to build one.

Peter Montopoli, the Canadian Soccer Association’s general secretary, said Friday that Halifax is a going concern in the bid process in the face of the glaring obstacle.

"Halifax at this point doesn’t have a stadium, but it may have everything else," said Montopoli. "Certainly the city has all the particulars required to move forward."

Halifax continues to look into participating in the women’s tournament and hopes to elaborate on its position in the coming days.

Grant MacDonald, the director of major events and community partnerships for Events Halifax, said his organization is still kicking the tires.

"We’re still in an exploratory mode trying to determine if this event fits with Halifax and if it is something we want go forward with," he said.
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[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

I have to agree. The Black Eyed Peas group doesn't seem to be big enough to attract a big crowd.

30 years ago, it seems like there were dozens of bands that could sell out a large stadium. Now I can only think of a few.

Interestingly, though, the NFL has announced that the Black Eyed Peas are going to be the halftime act art the Super Bowl this year. They will be doing their thing in front of 100,000 people at Cowboys stadium.

[someone123]

The Black Eyed Peas are very popular but don't have the same wide appeal as the Rolling Stones or Paul McCartney, who are known to people in their 20s and [much wealthier] people in their 60s. There may also be an element of fatigue with major concerts in Halifax (and Moncton). Some people might only go to one heavily promoted event every year or two.

The 2015 event seems like a real stretch to me. Who is going to pick a city that recently flaked out over the prospect of the Commonwealth Games and has no stadium over cities with stadiums already in place? Even if everything goes perfectly, going from no stadium to a working stadium in 2015 is a little tight.

[fenwick16]

I think that a commitment from the municipal and provincial governments is all that is required. The federal government has shown in the past that it will help cities acquire such sports infrastructure (especially for amateur sports events). However, a 25,000 permanent seat stadium might be too much to expect from the HRM and province. Although I would be elated if they do support it, after almost 30 years of waiting to see the Halifax area build a stadium, I have serious doubts. No real movement has taken place since Halifax dropped out of the running for the Commonwealth Games. In fact, it is only when large events come up that a stadium seems to be mentioned in the HRM. Then it gets forgotten soon afterward. With a sports minded Mayor and/or Premier then almost anything could be done (including obtaining a CFL team) - I am not sure about Premier Dexter as to whether he is a sports fan or not? If only there was the same overall commitment that was shown for the convention centre.

So in this case, I have to agree with someone123's pessimism - I will believe it when I see it. Timewise, a stadium can easily be built by 2015. If there is the political will then it can be done. The problem is finding the political will in the HRM. So maybe we should all be happy if there is a proposal to expand SMU Huskies Stadium to 10,000; this would actually be within the realm of possibilities.