Halifax Stadium Discussion

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

There is plenty of room at Shannon Park. Why would a stadium have to be built so close to the water (as close as Water St.)? Also, trees can be planted to provide a wind-break. Berms can be created to provide shelter from the wind. The existing topography already provides shelter. Instead of the Candlestick Park effect, I prefer to think of the AT&T Park effect (a beautiful stadium close to the waterfront and a major bridge - doesn't that sound a lot like a Shannon Park stadium?).

North-end Dartmouth isn't San Francisco, and the MacKay is hardly the Golden Gate. Plus AT&T Park doesn't have a large smoke-spewing power plant right next to it.

The problem with the site isn't just the wind. It is the proximity to that large mass of cold water. The terrain is flat and offers no help.

Are you suggesting that thousands of parking spots must be put at Shannon Park? Why not have smaller parking lots within 1 - 2 Km of Shannon Park and people can walk to the stadium? This is the best way to mitigate traffic jams - don't concentrate all the parking in one area.

You need parking reasonably close. 2KM isn't close enough. You still have a one-lane road with a level crossing. Only a fool would think that is adequate for a $60M facility. Get real. You need good vehicle access to any such site.

Having a ferry terminal provides another means to the downtown that can be used not just for a Shannon Park stadium, but also for commuters travelling from Bedford and Sackville. With the 107 highway planned to start soon, this seems like an ideal location for such a "park & ride" facility. There can also be bus connections.

All very interesting but irrelevant to the stadium question.

Once the area is cleared, has good transit connections and a stadium then it would be a good location for high-rise residential, similar to King's Wharf. The city might be able to get a good profit on its land acquisition money once a stadium is underway.

Uhhh... yeah. Suuuuure.