Halifax Stadium Discussion

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Waye Mason

2- link to one government communication that ever said this process would result in spending more than $75 million. No one ever ever ever said that. Not one level of government. The committee is tasked to build a community stadium, not a CFL stadium. That was clear from the start.

This is not quite so clear. The quote below is from the city website (HRM stadium link):

Background

There has been significant interest and attempts over more than two decades to construct a stadium in this region. This has included discussions tied to bids to host major sporting events and, in many cases, related to opportunities tied with positioning for the siting of a Canadian Football League team. In all cases, these discussions have not resulted in the development of full business and economic development analysis, and have not included consultation with public, stakeholders and members of potential user groups.

The CFL is mentioned several times on the halifax.ca stadium website. It would only make sense to include the CFL in the analysis. Hopefully the stadium advisory committee will include some CFL fans.

I agree that an extravagant CFL stadium is not being considered, but one that can be upgraded to CFL standards should logically be considered. You mentioned the figure of $75 million dollars, that would likely be more than enough for a stadium to host a CFL team - it can always be upgraded it the team is so successful that it needs more club seats/luxury boxes and more regular seats.

[Waye Mason]

Wespeidel, why don't you read my posts? I said 12-16K seats, I agreed that it was still in the 30-60 million range. I also said quite clearly that it was just and only one of many many meetings with stakeholders. Nothing I am saying is definitive, nothing I am saying is anything but trying to share my impressions with this online group of people who are are concerned about issues like this.

If you keep acting like a mental case every time you read something you don't like, assaulting people with your words, people who actually participate in making things happen and have first hand knowledge will NEVER EVER POST HERE.

You are entitled to your opinion, of course. I am telling you what I see happening, what my impressions are. I am entitled not to be lectured and berated by you.

[wackypacky]

Originally Posted by wespidel

This is what you posted and said was indicated at your meeting which I believe you also said was attended by an advisory committee member, correct. I asked you privately to explain and clarify some of your comments from your meeting and you didn`t have the courtesy to reply. If your are so right and so positive that it`s a 5,500 permanent seat community stadium then back it up! Why are you so powerful in your comments and noboby else counts. I don`t appreciate your smart remark! I decided to come back because I thought I could provide some interesting comments and especially where the stadium meeting is around the corner. You have a right to your comments and beliefs and I have I right to mine and as do others. You should he more repsectful and not make ignorant comments which I never made about you or your posts and which I have never made about everyone`s comments. But when someone is ignorant to me and disrespectful I will defend myself and tell them what I think of their rude ignorant behaviour which in return they deserve. Yes, I speak my mine but I back it up with fact and what I believe to be accurate. What if I tell you to get lost and stay off this site because of your ignorant remark attacking me. If you attack me which you did first, I will attack you. I didn`t attack you and make an ignorant remark, you did!


PS. One further comment in my opinion and yes I`m allowed to have an opinion too Waye Mason. If small town people, and I`m from a small town, want to have a community facility then build it where it`suited in a town not in a major city like Halifax that should have a lot more vision for the size of the city and the times. They should want to build a stadium they need for the market which isn`t just Halifax, it`s the entire region and why would you want to encourage or build a small mickey mouse stadium in a Halifax that has a market of 560 thousand people with a hour and half of the city. Well I know the answer, it`s because it`s only going to be a replacement university football stadium to replace the dump their playing in now. So why didn`t they tell us, you say they did Waye Mason. I say they didn`t! I say they mislead the real sports fans and entertainment fans in the city and region, that want a real stadium. A major stadium that can attract a CFL potiental owner and can accommodate a Grey Cup Game and major concerts to our city which will put Halifax on a National and Global scale, that is what the majority of people in this region want, not a small community Saint Marys 5,500 to 9,500 seat stadium. Waye Mason, those are the real facts and real wants and needs!

But if you say it`s now a 5,500 permanent seat community stadium and not a 10,000 permanent seat Events NS stadium which a member of the advisory board announced today on radio then maybe you know more than him and everybody, including the Mayor,Premier Dexter, Peter MacKay and PM Harper!

PS. I just wanted to say thanks to the people who have been kind and have made some complementary comments about some of my posts since I decided to try to return. Thank-you good people and I truely appreciate and respect you all for your kindness and special thanks Fenwick who has been super supportive and for all his efforts and expertise and his communication by email and his willingness always to help and follow -up.

Take care, and thanks again, SPYDER*

Would you stop "threatening" to leave the province and do it already. I dont know how someone whos aparently hates it here so much can get so intense about whats going on here.

[q12]

Can we dispense with the Drama on this forum and keep on topic?

I suggest we direct the passion towards those who will make the decisions on this stadium.

We all know one of the main purposes of this stadium would be to attract a future CFL franchise. A 20,000 seat range 60 million dollar stadium will send the message that this city is serious about acquiring a franchise.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by wespidel

There you go, I was right he said that they are focused on building a mickey mouse 9,500 permanent seat stadium like the Events NS facility with 10 thousand temporary seats, price 30 million. That`s your stadium!

Did this 95.7 talk program occur today or is this an old program that you were referring to?

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Waye Mason

Wespeidel, why don't you read my posts? I said 12-16K seats, I agreed that it was still in the 30-60 million range. I also said quite clearly that it was just and only one of many many meetings with stakeholders. Nothing I am saying is definitive, nothing I am saying is anything but trying to share my impressions with this online group of people who are are concerned about issues like this.

If you keep acting like a mental case every time you read something you don't like, assaulting people with your words, people who actually participate in making things happen and have first hand knowledge will NEVER EVER POST HERE.

You are entitled to your opinion, of course. I am telling you what I see happening, what my impressions are. I am entitled not to be lectured and berated by you.

Thanks for the information Waye.

Watch your blood pressure -

[hoser111]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Thanks for the information Waye.

Watch your blood pressure -

I'm kinda with Waye on this one....

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by hoser111

I'm kinda with Waye on this one....

I am looking forward to the day when we start getting concrete information. Right now it is mostly speculation.

PS: Who will be going to the stadium open houses? The first one is this coming Monday. I wish that I could be there!

From the Halifax Twitter account:
Three Open House Meetings Next Week: June 6 (Halifax Forum), June 8 (Cole Harbour Place), June 9 (LeBrun Rec Centre) all 6:30-8:30

[wespidel]

You`re the one that insulted me, I did not berate you, like you said. I was directing my comments as a taxpayer and property owner to this city and province and I have every right to do so and yes I`m very upset not only about the stadium project but also upset with city and Dexter`s govt. and the insane crime and high taxes. I will be leaving this city and selling my property and getting out, like many more people I know that have left and are going to as well. But I still have a voice and I will use it until I go, expressing my displeasures and you won`t stop me!

I`m sorry if it wasn`t you that posted the 5,500 seat comment on this site or posted it somewheres else. I`m certain someone posted a 5,500 seat stadium comment and I thought it was you. But you did comment and say the we need a community stadium which to me is the same as a 5,500 or 10,000 seat stadium. On 95.7 radio, the same day as the meeting downtown with the Canadian Soccer association, a man also from Soccer NS went on and also stated that Halifax will build either a 5,500 permanent seat stadium or a 10,000 seat permanent stadium.


I didn`t name call you or insult you and attack your name or integrity which you did to me. I wasn`t referring to you, you`re not the one building the stadium or making the final decisions, so what are you talking about. None of what I said was directed at you and I never once insulted you or named called you. I suggest to you grow up and learn some manners and stop insulting people and berating people. Stop pushing people around because that`s is what you are doing!
I will tell you one thing for sure after those ignorant rude insulting degrading comments you made about me. If you are at the meeting on Monday you will receive a blast from me and I will be in your face and I know what you look like, after those comments so I suggest you don`t attend because I will be having words with you.

I`m sorry but it`s people like you and others on this site that make me want to get out of this city and ruin our city and I not referring to the decent people that actually treated me with respect which I believe I did as well for them.

Waye Mason you can`t treat me the way on did on a site, degrading me as a person and it`s ok, sorry it`s not ok and it`s not proper and respectful which I don`t believe you know anything about because if you did you wouldn`t be name calling with your ignorant remarks about me, who you have never met and don`t even know.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF AS A PERSON!

[wespidel]

Fenwick it was today on 95.7 radio the comment was made by an advisory committee member who stated they are focused on building a 10,000 seat permanent stadium, expandable to 20 with temporary seats.

[hoser111]

Originally Posted by wespidel

You`re the one that insulted me, I did not berate you, like you said. I was directing my comments as a taxpayer and property owner to this city and province and I have every right to do so and yes I`m very upset not only about the stadium project but also upset with city and Dexter`s govt. and the insane crime and high taxes. I will be leaving this city and selling my property and getting out, like many more people I know that have left and are going to as well. But I still have a voice and I will use it until I go, expressing my displeasures and you won`t stop me!

I`m sorry if it wasn`t you that posted the 5,500 seat comment on this site or posted it somewheres else. I`m certain someone posted a 5,500 seat stadium comment and I thought it was you. But you did comment and say the we need a community stadium which to me is the same as a 5,500 or 10,000 seat stadium. On 95.7 radio, the same day as the meeting downtown with the Canadian Soccer association, a man also from Soccer NS went on and also stated that Halifax will build either a 5,500 permanent seat stadium or a 10,000 seat permanent stadium.


I didn`t name call you or insult you and attack your name or integrity which you did to me. I wasn`t referring to you, you`re not the one building the stadium or making the final decisions, so what are you talking about. None of what I said was directed at you and I never once insulted you or named called you. I suggest to you grow up and learn some manners and stop insulting people and berating people. Stop pushing people around because that`s is what you are doing!
I will tell you one thing for sure after those ignorant rude insulting degrading comments you made about me. If you are at the meeting on Monday you will receive a blast from me and I will be in your face and I know what you look like, after those comments so I suggest you don`t attend because I will be having words with you.

I`m sorry but it`s people like you and others on this site that make me want to get out of this city and ruin our city and I not referring to the decent people that actually treated me with respect which I believe I did as well for them.

Waye Mason you can`t treat me the way on did on a site, degrading me as a person and it`s ok, sorry it`s not ok and it`s not proper and respectful which I don`t believe you know anything about because if you did you wouldn`t be name calling with your ignorant remarks about me, who you have never met and don`t even know.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF AS A PERSON!

Here we go...Again!!!! This is the kind of crap that needs to be moderated outta here....

[wespidel]

But I can guarantee you that no one gets away with calling me a mental case which you did to me. I won`t be that ignorant as you but you will hear words that will make you wish you didn`t say what you did about me and they certainly will remind you of who you really are as a person!

[Empire]

Originally Posted by wespidel

You`re the one that insulted me, I did not berate you, like you said. I was directing my comments as a taxpayer and property owner to this city and province and I have every right to do so and yes I`m very upset not only about the stadium project but also upset with city and Dexter`s govt. and the insane crime and high taxes. I will be leaving this city and selling my property and getting out, like many more people I know that have left and are going to as well. But I still have a voice and I will use it until I go, expressing my displeasures and you won`t stop me!

I`m sorry if it wasn`t you that posted the 5,500 seat comment on this site or posted it somewheres else. I`m certain someone posted a 5,500 seat stadium comment and I thought it was you. But you did comment and say the we need a community stadium which to me is the same as a 5,500 or 10,000 seat stadium. On 95.7 radio, the same day as the meeting downtown with the Canadian Soccer association, a man also from Soccer NS went on and also stated that Halifax will build either a 5,500 permanent seat stadium or a 10,000 seat permanent stadium.


I didn`t name call you or insult you and attack your name or integrity which you did to me. I wasn`t referring to you, you`re not the one building the stadium or making the final decisions, so what are you talking about. None of what I said was directed at you and I never once insulted you or named called you. I suggest to you grow up and learn some manners and stop insulting people and berating people. Stop pushing people around because that`s is what you are doing!
I will tell you one thing for sure after those ignorant rude insulting degrading comments you made about me. If you are at the meeting on Monday you will receive a blast from me and I will be in your face and I know what you look like, after those comments so I suggest you don`t attend because I will be having words with you.

I`m sorry but it`s people like you and others on this site that make me want to get out of this city and ruin our city and I not referring to the decent people that actually treated me with respect which I believe I did as well for them.

Waye Mason you can`t treat me the way on did on a site, degrading me as a person and it`s ok, sorry it`s not ok and it`s not proper and respectful which I don`t believe you know anything about because if you did you wouldn`t be name calling with your ignorant remarks about me, who you have never met and don`t even know.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF AS A PERSON!

Wespidel, have you ever gone back and read some of your posts after the steam has had a chance to blow off?

[fenwick16]

Building a stadium will involve the design, funding program and construction (I doubt that the funding for a major stadium will be obtained prior to the design based on the reluctance of the three levels of government to provide major funding - which is justifiable). I would suggest that the HRM develop a reasonable stadium design of $60 million - $75 million dollars that will look appealing and then have a physical model built. A physical model will attract attention not only from the general public but also from potential private investors (perhaps a large private investor will want naming rights to a major stadium - of at least 25,000). I think that the potential income from naming rights to a small stadium of 10,000 will be very limited unless it is the first stage of a much larger stadium.

PS: I have no doubt that if the HRM and province of Nova Scotia decide to spend, for example, $120 million dollars then they can find a builder to construct an extravagant 25,000 - 30,000 seat stadium with a few seating levels, total enclosed concourses, several luxury suites, etc. In my opinion, making a goal of building a 25,000 seat stadium for $60 million or less is a responsible use of taxpayers money. It is probably more of a design challenge than building an expensive stadium but I think that many people (possibly the majority) will agree that it is a responsible use of taxpayers money.

[wespidel]

Why don`t you go after Wayne Mason, why me! He`s the one that`s caused me to react. Don`t blame me for this! Show some repsect!

Anyway if some of you people can`t reframe from always wanting to attack, and I`m referring to only certain people that have been being cruel and mean to me with ignorant attacks on my character and on me personally, everything will be fine, which it should be on this site.


PS. I will try to find away to post the Nussli modular bowl fixed stadium which may create some interest if some people can be civil and decent enough.

[ewjonsson]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

PS: Who will be going to the stadium open houses? The first one is this coming Monday. I wish that I could be there!

I am gonna be at the one on Monday at the forum.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by ewjonsson

I am gonna be at the one on Monday at the forum.

Could you post some information regarding the meeting Monday evening? I would be interested in knowing how many people attend, what information is presented, what sort of questions are asked by the attendees ...

Maybe you could also get some pictures of the crowd and anything else that is of interest and then post one or more pictures in this thread.

[c-way-dude]

Originally Posted by Waye Mason

I said 12-16K seats, I agreed that it was still in the 30-60 million range. I also said quite clearly that it was just and only one of many many meetings with stakeholders. Nothing I am saying is definitive, nothing I am saying is anything but trying to share my impressions with this online group of people who are are concerned about issues like this.

If a stadium were built with 14-16k along the sidelines and open end zones, it could still likely be expanded to host a CFL franchise at a reasonable cost. This would especially be true if the stadium were built around a track. The playing field could then be lowered, and additional sideline seating could be placed either on top of or instead of a track.
I agree that since no one in any position of authority has stated any cost above $60 million for a stadium, that is the most that we presently should expect. A while back, the mayor was quoted saying the stadium could have a maximum cost of $2200/seat. At $30 million, that would be around 14k seats.

[fenwick16]

Just as interesting note - a figure of $65 million was mentioned by Mayor Kelly for an outdoor stadium in January 2009 as part of the stimulus wish list. Here is a link to the skyscraperpage thread and story from January 2009 - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=163634. At the time Mayor Kelly was quoted as saying - "The list is extensive," he said, and includes big-ticket items like a convention centre ($150 million), outdoor stadium ($65 million), downtown library ($60 million) and four-rink ice complex ($35 million) as well as basic infrastructure upgrades and repairs."

It is interesting to note that the four-rink ice complex has been built, the library is underway, and the convention centre has been approved by HRM and provincial government. I feel confident that the outdoor stadium will occur next. I believe that the stadium that Mayor Kelly is considering ($65 million) is more substantial than the stadium that Events Nova Scotia is considering ($30 million). We will have to wait a few more months to see what will be presented. They will be getting public input from the open houses that the HRM will host next week.

[wespidel]

Ok I will share this with you and by the way I do support Mayor Kelly and like him as a person which I have posted and I also have defended him more than once. But he knows how strongly I feel about building at least a 90 to 100 million multi purpose 25,000 plus permanent seat stadium, with open endzones and with all the amenities in Halifax versus a 30 or 60 dollar stadium that will not attract a CFL franchise owner or be big enough to stage major concerts. He certainly knows my position and so does the province and by the way I`m speaking in behalf of many sports fans and entertainment fans in the region who feel the same and who will be the ones supporting the stadium. I also don`t have a problem if a portion of the 100 million stadium is covered by the taxpayers or with a service fee like Winnipeg are doing on the additional 70 million dollar cost to build a better facility. They are taging a 5% fee on the price of the ticket to pay for the additional 70 million dollar cost over 25 or 30 years. Their smart, they don`t want a facility that doesn`t mean the standards of todays, most important required features needed in a modern facility to be viable. It only makes sense and they are not going to build a stadium that`s too small with no features. Anyway I don`t get what Halifax is trying to do unless it`s totally just a replacement facility for Saint Marys!

This is where I get frustrated and I believe we the public are being mislead and why I find Fenwick`s comment interesting!


Because when I talked to Mayor Kelly who I know personally, he did state to me that the Saint Marys stadium site was not big enough for what Halifax wants to build. Yet the advisory committee have stated last week that they are focused on building a 30 million dollar 10,000 permanent seat stadium, basicly the Events NS model. Yet the Mayor said that the Saint Marys sight was to small for what they wanted to build. Well Fenwick this may explain the 65 million dollar Nussli bowl fixed modular stadium infrastructure list, Mayor Kelly was eluding to. Maybe at that time they were hoping to get support from Ottawa and now without the support they are now reverting back to the Events NS model.

I believe the Nussli modular type bowl fixed stadium may have been in the cards and I know for certain it was presented, but perchaps the lack of Federal support probably changed the dynamic.


I just hope they wake up and build a multi purpose 90 to 100 dollar stadium and fine a way to build it financially so they build it right and at the same time clean up the crime in this city and catch and fine and jail the graffiti criminals who are destroying the image and commerical potential of our city as well as tougher mandatory sentences to deal with the violent gun crime and other violent crimes and maybe I will stay, if not I`m gone. That`s why I voted for Harper and so did my son who is a police officer. Lets get these tougher laws passed to deal with the outrageous dangerous crime because if you want to attract people to our city and new business and larger companies and big development, crime has to be dealt with in this city and cleaned up and as well taxes have to be reduced right across the board. A multi purpose stadium built in Halifax needs to have a safe enviroment inorder to enjoy and people need disposable income which will help the economy grow and the city and region to prosper.