Halifax Stadium Discussion

[fenwick16]

I read that a bit differently halifaxboyns. Source - http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/September132011RegionalCouncilAgenda.html

7.1 Councillor Rankin
Motion - To rescind the motion passed at the August 9, 2011

and the motion that he wants to rescind is the one passed on August 9, 2011 which was:

1. Approve in principle the recommendation directions outlined in
the Final Report – Phase 1 Stadium Analysis: Halifax Stadium
– Business Plan (Attachment 2);

2. Direct staff to proceed to Phase 2 Stadium Analysis: Site Selection
and Preliminary Design; and

3. Approve an increase to project CBX01363 in the amount of
$275,000 (net HST included) for Phase 2, with funding from
the Strategic Growth Reserve, Q126, as outlined in the Budget
Implications section of the staff report dated July 18, 2011,
and continue to seek out other funding partners:

4. Return to Regional Council end of September for capital
affordability and financing options discussion.

Reg Ranking on August 9th stated that if the city can't maintain the stadium then don't build it. He also wanted an amendment put in the original motion that if funding partners (for example, the province) state that they won't fund it then have the option to pull out of the phase 2. I don't think there is any question that Reg Rankin wants to stop a stadium in its tracks before it even gets to phase 2.

In my opinion, Reg Rankin's viewpoint is very narrow-minded and backward. It is usually the case that sports facilities are conceptually designed and then funding is arranged instead of trying to get funding partners without even a conceptual idea of what the stadium will look like.

I hope that Reg Rankin won't get support for his motion, since it would be a very dark day in the HRM for sports fans if Council won't even go ahead with a design study. It would be a long shot for him to succeed since the tender has already gone out for the phase 2 work.