Halifax Stadium Discussion

[(CFL) THE 13TH MAN]

Rick Howe and Jordi Morgan, Hfx.`s local radio talk hosts apparently want Mayor Kelly on their shows regualry which is good of Mayor Kelly to do and then when he goes off they run him into the ground and stab him in the back, like I also hear certain councillors do, that Howe and Morgan allow on their shows to do the same to Mayor Kelly. When I hear Mayor Kelly is a decent person and treats people with respect and works very hard as Mayor of Halifax.

Fenwick, that would be awesome if Mayor Kelly is trying to build a better and bigger stadium than what the steering committee is proposing which would definitely put Mayor Kelly ahead of Savage who wants a tiny kids community stadium built.

[(CFL) THE 13TH MAN]

I was told that this is the same person that is on this site who constantly gets on talk radio and runs Mayor Kelly into the ground and he`s a big Savage supporter!

[cjones2451]

Is Halifax going to do this again?

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Canada+making+pitch+2022+Commonwealth+Games/6110563/story.html

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by (CFL) THE 13TH MAN

I was told that this is the same person that is on this site who constantly gets on talk radio and runs Mayor Kelly into the ground and he`s a big Savage supporter!

Waye Mason is a hipster artsy NDP type of the like that infests far too much of peninsular Halifax, who collects a salary from the taxpayer doing something at NSCC. He appears on CBC Mainstreet far too often as some sort of self-proclaimed political pundit expounding on municipal politics, and manages to talk down to the audience in the Howard Epstein/Graham Steele school of public speaking. In short, he represents much of what I loathe about politicians and people in the public eye and I hope Sue Uteck steamrollers him.

But I will never criticize him for being an opponent of Peter Kelly and criticizing the mayor's behavior and actions while in office. That may be one of the few things upon which I agree with him. When he\s right, he's right.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

Is Halifax going to do this again?

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Canada+making+pitch+2022+Commonwealth+Games/6110563/story.html

I doubt it. The wounds over what happened the last bid haven't healed. I would say that we should stay out of it for 2022, 2026, 2030 and perhaps consider 2034. By then hopefully the attitude around HRM will change and the ghosts of the failed bid will be long silent.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

Is Halifax going to do this again?

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Canada+making+pitch+2022+Commonwealth+Games/6110563/story.html

It won't be up to Halifax to decide. The country has fired us and for good reason. The decision to pull out of the CWG bid was the most spineless I've ever seen.

[fenwick16]

Mayor Kelly has written this open letter to the business community. It is dated January 23, 2012. For anyone who is a stadium proponent, it is difficult to argue that Mayor Kelly hasn't been promoting its construction.

(source: http://halifax.ca/Stadium/documents/MayorStadiumLetterJan2012.pdf )

January 23, 2012

Dear Business Leader:

I am writing to you to talk about one of the most exciting projects Halifax has seen in recent years. I am referring to the multi-use stadium that HRM has proposed be built to accommodate the needs of our growing city. I am inviting you to “Get in the Game” and participate in an Expression of Interest HRM will be issuing today, January 23, asking all private interests to get involved in whichever way they feel they can contribute.

Halifax has talked about a stadium for many years; however it is only within the last few months that a serious look has been taken at the business case, economics and level of support in the community. The results have been extremely positive. The economic impact analysis shows the benefits a stadium would bring to all of Nova Scotia:

• The construction phase is expected to generate $94 million of economic activity in Nova Scotia and create more than 550 jobs;
• The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 is expected to generate $21 million of economic activity and create 180 jobs;
• The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 would be even higher at over $38 million in economic activity and 326 jobs.

While FIFA is an opportunity and accelerant, it is not a determinant. The guiding principle of the stadium process has been establishing whether there is a viable business case and public support for a stadium in HRM, regardless of the FIFA opportunity in 2014 and 2015. Public support has been equally strong. From the very beginning residents have been enthusiastic about this opportunity. Several public consultation sessions, two separate phone and online surveys, and feedback gathered via Facebook and Twitter accounts set up for the stadium have demonstrated a 70% level of support throughout HRM.

The public has also been clear about what they want: a community-oriented facility with the ability to host national and international events through temporary expansion. The facility will enable over 300 days of community access per year, with the proposed design including an air-supported bubble over the field of play in order to ensure year-round usage. A stadium would provide a world-class regional hub available to minor sport, school and university and other community based sport groups across the Province for training and competition. The multi-use facility will also provide a better venue for large festivals, performances and community gatherings for the entire region.

Halifax Regional Council has committed $20 million in capital funding towards the estimated $60 million total, as well as ongoing operating costs. We are looking for partners who will join us in making this opportunity a reality. Today we have issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) asking all parties who want to be part of this game-changing venture to send us their proposals outlining how they might like to take part. The EOI asks for potential scenarios related to the stadium project, which would position the project for broad long term benefit to the community. These scenarios will then be reviewed and considered as part of future decisions with respect to the project.

There are other ways you can help also. While Halifax Regional Council has committed $20 million, that represents about one-third of the estimated construction total. We have put funding proposals before the Provincial and Federal governments outlining the economic benefits and community support. You can help us by contacting your elected officials and explaining the benefits a stadium would bring to you and your business. You can access more detailed information on the project at
http://www.halifax.ca/Stadium/index.html

Halifax Regional Municipality is set for a bright future. Decades of growth are expected, due in part to the shipbuilding contract announced last fall. A modern, multi-use facility will distinguish Halifax as a progressive, dynamic and desirable community, attracting diverse events and increased tourism. HRM is ready and eager to move forward with this exciting project. We need you to "Get in the Game" and participate –
we encourage you to get involved.

Respectfully, I remain

Peter Kelly
Mayor

I think that Mayor Kelly's advice about business leaders contacting their elected provincial and federal leaders, applies to residents also. If residents feel that a stadium is important then it is important to contact Premier Dexter, provincial MLA's and federal MP's for the Halifax/Nova Scotia region. Right now is the best chance that the Halifax area will have to build a stadium for many years (it is unlikely that the HRM will be selected for a Commonwealth Games anytime in the foreseeable future, in my opinion).

[RyeJay]

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by RyeJay

Another profound thought by RyeJay.

[RyeJay]

I'll post the news link of FIFA's death when the deadline arrives, so you can put your drum set away.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by RyeJay

I'll post the news link of FIFA's death when the deadline arrives, so you can put your drum set away.

Just what exactly is it that you espouse to?
Do you have a cause?
Do you have a plan?
Please share.......................

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by RyeJay

I'll post the news link of FIFA's death when the deadline arrives, so you can put your drum set away.

Since you like cliches and analogies, if a team is down by 2 touchdowns with 5 minutes to play then quite often they will lose. However, once in a while teams that play to the final buzzer will pull out a win. The deadline is March 31st, 2012 for a stadium commitment. Cheers to Mayor Kelly and the Councillors such as Sloane, Hendsbee and Fisher who made an effort to promote a stadium. Hopefully the effort will continue even if Halifax isn't ready for the 2015 FIFA Cup.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Since you like cliches and analogies, if a team is down by 2 touchdowns with 5 minutes to play then quite often they will lose. However, once in a while teams that play to the final buzzer will pull out a win. The deadline is March 31st, 2012 for a stadium commitment. Cheers to Mayor Kelly and the Councillors such as Sloane, Hendsbee and Fisher who made an effort to promote a stadium. Hopefully the effort will continue even if Halifax isn't ready for the 2015 FIFA Cup.

And you must enjoy irony.

With this stadium you should be using a soccer analogy.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by cormiermax

Dieppe is the Acadian Capital

I thought it was Caraquet.

http://www.francomix.com/IMG/jpg/panneau-caraquet-3.jpg

[cormiermax]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I thought it was Caraquet.

http://www.francomix.com/IMG/jpg/panneau-caraquet-3.jpg

I guess Caraquet wants the title! If a true capital was ever established however for provincehood or what ever reason I predict it would be somewhere in the south, probably Dieppe.

[Empire]

Hopefully the money saved on the transit strike will go toward the stadium.

Does anyone know how much that is .....$1,000,000.00 a week maybe?

[spaustin]

Originally Posted by Empire

Hopefully the money saved on the transit strike will go toward the stadium.

Does anyone know how much that is .....$1,000,000.00 a week maybe?

I heard it's about $90,000 a day. It's not really a savings though. If you factor in the increased costs to people trying to get around, the lost productivity to businesses who are missing employees and the lost cash to businesses who are without customers, that $90,000 would disappear pretty quick. From a whole of society perpsective, we're all losing.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

Originally Posted by spaustin

I heard it's about $90,000 a day. It's not really a savings though. If you factor in the increased costs to people trying to get around, the lost productivity to businesses who are missing employees and the lost cash to businesses who are without customers, that $90,000 would disappear pretty quick. From a whole of society perpsective, we're all losing.

The way HRM thinks it's a savings. Actually it's a double windfall from all the parking tickets.

[halifaxboyns]

Not sure if anyone posted this picture of the Pan Am Stadium for Hamilton. I happened upon it last night - it's 15,000 seats and I'm sure Fenwick knows how much it can be expanded too? I couldn't find the information before I went to bed...but this might be an interesting design?

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

Not sure if anyone posted this picture of the Pan Am Stadium for Hamilton. I happened upon it last night - it's 15,000 seats and I'm sure Fenwick knows how much it can be expanded too? I couldn't find the information before I went to bed...but this might be an interesting design?

This is the old proposal at Hamilton Harbour West. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats owner balked at that location and so instead the current Ivor Wynne Stadium will be demolished and rebuilt (there are no renderings yet for the new Ivor Wynne).

The stadium that you posted is what I would like to see built in the Halifax area, except the Hamilton proposal would have had several bells and whistles that would have increased the cost. (It also looks as though it is more than 15,000 seats, although that is the stated capacity).

PS: It looks like this could be expanded to 40,000 - 45,000 if completely enclosed.

The Akron InfoCision Stadium is somewhat similar but without the bells and whistles (still a very nice stadium though - http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.964426!/img/httpImage/image.jpg)