Halifax Stadium Discussion

[terrynorthend]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Hah. That floating stadium is hilarious. It's a really neat idea, and it would be awesome to see a match at a place like that, but it would definitely never work in Halifax and its climate/sewage.
Still neat though.

It is pretty cool. Not very practical to say the least. I wonder if they can tow the soccer pitch away and float in a track or other field surface. Or maybe just leave the harbour and have a water sport, like water-skiing. In our climate today, we could float in an iceberg and have a hockey game.

[downtowndawn]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Great work Harlington in contacting the HRM councillors. That is an interesting reply from Councillor Sloane. Maybe this endeavor isn't so far fetched after all. It is good to see that the stadium project is still in the minds of some of the councillors.

Thanks for the suggestions MaritimeCFLFan. For anyone reading this post who is interested, the Google Sketchup program is a very powerful tool for doing 3-D computer models. There are a great variety of models that can be downloaded and altered. Also there are downloadable sections of stands, etc. There is a free and pro version of this software. For anyone interested in making such models it would be a great feature of the website. Once the model is drawn it can be downloaded to various locations on Google Earth. The most popular model could be selected and sent to the councilors by email. It would even be possible to have an actual physical model made by CNC and then present it to the councilors.

I haven't forgotten about the need for a stadium. In fact I have been sharing info on the floating stadium for the last year with many developers and other gov't levels. I Like the idea posed by Sean but you better check with Petro Canada. The wanted to put a gas station there and the resident living near by were opposed. Furthermore, I dont\[\'t think they were in the mood to sell the land as I heard they have turned down a few offers already.
Dawn

[fenwick16]

I personally think that Halifax is a very unique city and a stadium should attract people to the downtown area to show off Halifax. There were several other locations put forth on this thread. There were suggestions of using the Wanderers Lands while still maintaining the heritage clubhouse. A sunken stadium could be built with 30,000 seats that would still be a low rise stadium. If built 35 feet below grade, then even with a second tier of seats the stadium would only be about 40 - 50 feet above street level. If built so that it fit into the nature of Halifax it would not detract from the Public Gardens. Another city owned area that has room is the skate-park area. Money would have to be spent to relocate the skate-park by 100 - 200 feet in the same area. This could also be a sunken stadium so that it would be a low rise building. These areas are so close to downtown Halifax that if tastefully built, the stadium could be a landmark Halifax building that could be around for 100 years (like Fenway Park in Boston). Many people on this forum would prefer that the stadium not be in the suburbs, since it would not be readily visible and it would not serve the purpose of attracting visitors to downtown Halifax.

It would certainly be a privilege to the people on this forum to have councillors involved in these discussions. Are you Councillor Dawn Sloane? If you are (or even if you are not) please continue to post your views. We are very serious about this project and many of us would be willing to contribute whatever money we can (if a trust fund was set up through the city then I would contribute $2000 immediately and more as I can). We could also raise money through a website and other means such as was done with the Farmers Market.

Originally Posted by downtowndawn

I haven't forgotten about the need for a stadium. In fact I have been sharing info on the floating stadium for the last year with many developers and other gov't levels. I Like the idea posed by Sean but you better check with Petro Canada. The wanted to put a gas station there and the resident living near by were opposed. Furthermore, I dont\[\'t think they were in the mood to sell the land as I heard they have turned down a few offers already.
Dawn

[fenwick16]

I am not sure if an entirely floating stadium would work but if there was land available close to the Halifax harbour then it would be possible to have part of the stadium field extending into the harbour. A wharf or land fill would be a more typical way of doing it as opposing to it being floating. The image below shows what a stadium might look like if built next to Salter Street on the Waterfront (in fact, it would need to be built over Salter Street in order to fit). The Murphy's warehouse would have to be moved, but wouldn't it be interesting to incorporate it into the end of the stadium? (the stadium model is a modified version of a model of Boise State's Bronco Stadium by Lupinn on the Google 3D Warehouse). The capacity would be about 27,000 as shown but could be expanded. This Harbourfront Stadium would certainly become a world renowned stadium. The Halifax Citadel is in the background.

The Bronco Stadium was modified to make it more compact (narrower) by cutting off a few rows of seats and moving the sideline stands closer to the field in order for it to fit on the available land. The field is a Canadian football size field.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

It would certainly be a privilege to the people on this forum to have councillors involved in these discussions. Are you Councillor Dawn Sloane? If you are (or even if you are not) please continue to post your views. We are very serious about this project and many of us would be willing to contribute whatever money we can (if a trust fund was set up through the city then I would contribute $2000 immediately and more as I can). We could also raise money through a website and other means such as was done with the Farmers Market.

I think a trust fund is critical and hopefully would be administered by HRM or Sport NS (I would contribute $1000.00). This would give constant exposure and keep the momentum rising. The amount could be updated on the website along with a list of corporate sponsors. Hopefully the petition will be part of the website along with a section for volunteers and stadium versions. fenwick I think you mentioned some of this would be part of the website. (great work)

With the support of some concilors the awareness could remain high. Perhaps there could be a link from the HRM website to the stadium website. The key is advertising the website....billboards, radio, print media, TV etc. There could also be fundraisers like a tailgate party or contests to win tickets to CFL or NFL games. Perhaps there could be a contest for stadium design, site selection and team name. (have a kids contest as well) The design and site closest to the final product would win.

[downtowndawn]

Yes, This is the "real" Dawn Sloane. I am interested in all of your ideas on this project as it is vital for us to plan for a stadium and look at all pontential sites and find out the status of purchase and/or sale.

I am willing to aid the members of this fourm as much as I can and help vet your thoughts to Council.

Cheers
Dawn

Originally Posted by fenwick16

I personally think that Halifax is a very unique city and a stadium should attract people to the downtown area to show off Halifax. There were several other locations put forth on this thread. There were suggestions of using the Wanderers Lands while still maintaining the heritage clubhouse. A sunken stadium could be built with 30,000 seats that would still be a low rise stadium. If built 35 feet below grade, then even with a second tier of seats the stadium would only be about 40 - 50 feet above street level. If built so that it fit into the nature of Halifax it would not detract from the Public Gardens. Another city owned area that has room is the skate-park area. Money would have to be spent to relocate the skate-park by 100 - 200 feet in the same area. This could also be a sunken stadium so that it would be a low rise building. These areas are so close to downtown Halifax that if tastefully built, the stadium could be a landmark Halifax building that could be around for 100 years (like Fenway Park in Boston). Many people on this forum would prefer that the stadium not be in the suburbs, since it would not be readily visible and it would not serve the purpose of attracting visitors to downtown Halifax.

It would certainly be a privilege to the people on this forum to have councillors involved in these discussions. Are you Councillor Dawn Sloane? If you are (or even if you are not) please continue to post your views. We are very serious about this project and many of us would be willing to contribute whatever money we can (if a trust fund was set up through the city then I would contribute $2000 immediately and more as I can). We could also raise money through a website and other means such as was done with the Farmers Market.

[fenwick16]

Having your support will be a great benefit to all those who support this project which certainly seems to be a majority of Haligonians and ex-Haligonians. I (Kevin Langille), for one, plan to spend almost all of my spare time on this project setting up the website and writing any technical reports required (any for which I am qualified). Also I can research stadiums including technical requirements and I know someone who is very good at computer generated models and can do the CNC models (physical models). I also have some basic experience with modeling. My son is very good at computer programming and can do a good job on the website.

Originally Posted by downtowndawn

Yes, This is the "real" Dawn Sloane. I am interested in all of your ideas on this project as it is vital for us to plan for a stadium and look at all pontential sites and find out the status of purchase and/or sale.

I am willing to aid the members of this fourm as much as I can and help vet your thoughts to Council.

Cheers
Dawn

[-Harlington-]

This would be great to get the support of council, and i really like how serious everyone is its great that people finally want thing done here.
I also think a trust fund is vital and know that we can raise the money if everyone pulls together.
renderings, proposals, cost estimates, ects. are also something to look into. Alaso maybe when this website is up and running from support of HRM we can finally decide on a location and design and make this a real proposal.

[MaritimeCFLFan]

Originally Posted by downtowndawn

Yes, This is the "real" Dawn Sloane. I am interested in all of your ideas on this project as it is vital for us to plan for a stadium and look at all pontential sites and find out the status of purchase and/or sale.

I am willing to aid the members of this fourm as much as I can and help vet your thoughts to Council.

Cheers
Dawn

Welcome to this discussion forum Dawn. It's great to know you support a stadium and will try to help see this through. Hopefully there are a significant number of other councillors who are in support of or at least open to the idea of a stadium. A city the size of Halifax is terribly lacking in such a facility. Several other cities across the country are currently looking at new stadiums or making upgrades to current ones. I would agree that the first thing to be decided is what available land sites are actually on the table for our stadium and go from there. Next we would need to decide what stadium design would work for us. I am a huge CFL fan and would love to see Halifax acquire a franchise some day and as such I'd be an advocate of a stadium of 25,000 to 30,000 permanent seats with the ability of future temporary expansion to 45,000 to 50,000 seats for a Grey Cup.

[terrynorthend]

Yes, Welcome to the Halifax Local of the SSP forum Dawn. Feel free to peruse and chime in on the other threads here too. You'll see we are a pretty active little group; passionate and generally pro-development. Hopefully we represent the tip of the iceberg of HRM citizens who consider themselves proponents of timely and appropriate growth, quality progressive architecture, a thoughtful blend of old and new, genuine hertitage preservation and increased density and growing sustainable vibrant communities.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by downtowndawn

I haven't forgotten about the need for a stadium. In fact I have been sharing info on the floating stadium for the last year with many developers and other gov't levels. I Like the idea posed by Sean but you better check with Petro Canada. The wanted to put a gas station there and the resident living near by were opposed. Furthermore, I dont\[\'t think they were in the mood to sell the land as I heard they have turned down a few offers already.
Dawn

Councillor Slaone:
Is this post in reference to the Willow Park area? Part of this large block (northeast corner of Windsor and Young) is owned by Suncor/Petro Canada and part is a vehicle maintenance and parking area for the Department of National Defense (DND) at Willow Park. I am not too clear on this; are you referring to Petro Canada not wanting to sell their land or DND not wanting to sell? If it is Petro Canada that doesn't wish to sell, would they consider a land swap in that area that is further away from the residents (some blocks are more industrial than others). I am sure that some residents would also be opposed to a stadium but I am not sure of how many (some would certainly be pro-stadium). Having an appealing proposal would minimize the opposition. Especially if there are people within this group who are willing to try to promote the benefits of a stadium in that neighbourhood.

With the 100th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion approaching in 2017 do you think that the Federal government might consider partial funding for a memorial stadium? We could prepare a presentation for them.

What are your views on the Wanderers Grounds or Skate-Park areas for a stadium. If designed properly it wouldn't be a large hulking type of structure. The skate-park could possibly be incorporated into part of the outdoor exterior of a stadium (steps, railings ...). The stadium could be designed to look similar to a natural amphitheater with a sunken bowl.

The image of a Stadium at the Murphy's Cable Wharf in post # 542 was just a concept, since such a stadium would also require that the short section of Salter Street be built onto and a bit of the Centennial Property would also be required. It would be a fantastic location but probably not feasible.

[alps]

Quite far from downtown, but there seems to be a lot of underused land between the Fairview Cove terminal and Seaview Park.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by alps

Quite far from downtown, but there seems to be a lot of underused land between the Fairview Cove terminal and Seaview Park.

Aka the old city dump.

Even further away from Downtown but Chinatown could be turned into a waterfront stadium.

[terrynorthend]

Originally Posted by alps

Quite far from downtown, but there seems to be a lot of underused land between the Fairview Cove terminal and Seaview Park.

I'm pretty sure this land is earmarked for future expansion of CERESport.

[downtowndawn]

Yes, the corner of Young and Windsor (Willow Park) had a Petro Canada Station proposed for that site. Community Council voted against it. I personally believe the stadium needs to be on the peninsula. The whole peninsula such be treated as our downtown... like manhattan. That is my personal thoughts.

There are several opportunities as you know, and I can tell you there are many Councillors interested in a stadium. Keep up the good discussion and when you are ready I can set up a meeting with a few of the Councillors with you all.

Cheers
Dawn

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Councillor Slaone:
Is this post in reference to the Willow Park area? Part of this large block (northeast corner of Windsor and Young) is owned by Suncor/Petro Canada and part is a vehicle maintenance and parking area for the Department of National Defense (DND) at Willow Park. I am not too clear on this; are you referring to Petro Canada not wanting to sell their land or DND not wanting to sell? If it is Petro Canada that doesn't wish to sell, would they consider a land swap in that area that is further away from the residents (some blocks are more industrial than others). I am sure that some residents would also be opposed to a stadium but I am not sure of how many (some would certainly be pro-stadium). Having an appealing proposal would minimize the opposition. Especially if there are people within this group who are willing to try to promote the benefits of a stadium in that neighbourhood.

With the 100th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion approaching in 2017 do you think that the Federal government might consider partial funding for a memorial stadium? We could prepare a presentation for them.

What are your views on the Wanderers Grounds or Skate-Park areas for a stadium. If designed properly it wouldn't be a large hulking type of structure. The skate-park could possibly be incorporated into part of the outdoor exterior of a stadium (steps, railings ...). The stadium could be designed to look similar to a natural amphitheater with a sunken bowl.

The image of a Stadium at the Murphy's Cable Wharf in post # 542 was just a concept, since such a stadium would also require that the short section of Salter Street be built onto and a bit of the Centennial Property would also be required. It would be a fantastic location but probably not feasible.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by downtowndawn

Yes, the corner of Young and Windsor (Willow Park) had a Petro Canada Station proposed for that site. Community Council voted against it. I personally believe the stadium needs to be on the peninsula. The whole peninsula such be treated as our downtown... like manhattan. That is my personal thoughts.

There are several opportunities as you know, and I can tell you there are many Councillors interested in a stadium. Keep up the good discussion and when you are ready I can set up a meeting with a few of the Councillors with you all.

Cheers
Dawn

Hey Dawn, welcome to the forum. Don't take offense to my signature!

I totally agree that the whole peninsula should be treated as our downtown. Manhatten is an extreme comparison due to the sheer density, but I think we could learn alot from Montreal's downtown.

This area (Willow Park lands) of city is ripe for development as there is little to no heritage and a good base of surrounding population density. It is also located in a central location for entry and exit from the core. I would like to see residential towers (12-16 stories) in the area as well as office development. A stadium in this area could be a strategic cluster with the Forum lands for a real atheletics district, bounded by an artistic community to the east of Robie and a neighborhood of houses to the West. I think this area could be more than just a wasteland of car dealerships, fast food outlets and aging military facilties. In fact, Gladstone Ridge has revitalized the area to the south.

The Superstore on Young is a perfect node to work residential development around (like Sobeys & Gladstone Ridge)... another gas station is a waste of that corner.

It would also make sense to straighten the intersection of Bayers Rd and Young St at Windsor... it is currently a mess and making a left from Bayers onto Windsor can be dangerous in the best of weather.

The tax regime has been positive for growth in the business parks, but devastating to the peninsula.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Hey Dawn, welcome to the forum. Don't take offense to my signature!

I totally agree that the whole peninsula should be treated as our downtown. Manhatten is an extreme comparison due to the sheer density, but I think we could learn alot from Montreal's downtown.

This area (Willow Park lands) of city is ripe for development as there is little to no heritage and a good base of surrounding population density. It is also located in a central location for entry and exit from the core. I would like to see residential towers (12-16 stories) in the area as well as office development. A stadium in this area could be a strategic cluster with the Forum lands for a real atheletics district, bounded by an artistic community to the east of Robie and a neighborhood of houses to the West. I think this area could be more than just a wasteland of car dealerships, fast food outlets and aging military facilties. In fact, Gladstone Ridge has revitalized the area to the south.

The Superstore on Young is a perfect node to work residential development around (like Sobeys & Gladstone Ridge)... another gas station is a waste of that corner.

It would also make sense to straighten the intersection of Bayers Rd and Young St at Windsor... it is currently a mess and making a left from Bayers onto Windsor can be dangerous in the best of weather.

The tax regime has been positive for growth in the business parks, but devastating to the peninsula.

I agree that this area of the peninsula has been overlooked for its potential and has been subjected to very poor planning. There is no logic to having a car lot industrial sector in an area that holds the most potential in HRM. Hopefully new developments such as Gladstone Ridge and the talk of a stadium in the area will lead to zoning changes and a new mindset for this prime sector of the peninsula.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by downtowndawn

Yes, the corner of Young and Windsor (Willow Park) had a Petro Canada Station proposed for that site. Community Council voted against it. I personally believe the stadium needs to be on the peninsula. The whole peninsula such be treated as our downtown... like manhattan. That is my personal thoughts.

There are several opportunities as you know, and I can tell you there are many Councillors interested in a stadium. Keep up the good discussion and when you are ready I can set up a meeting with a few of the Councillors with you all.

Cheers
Dawn

Based on the comments by Councillor Sloane, we need to immediately start preparing a presentation. My personal view is that we need to start with one location which I think should be the Willow Park area. Then we need to prepare both computer animated and physical models (I will work on this with the help of someone else that I know). Then we would be ready to meet with the councillors. Even though the Community Council voted against a gas station, if the stadium is designed in a tasteful manner they might have a different reaction to a nice stadium.

I am a technical person, having studied chemical engineering. I have a passion for the stadium project and reading about other Halifax area developments. I can do a lot of the technical preparation but we will need someone who is good at public speaking to deal with the media and different levels of government. Since my background is in Chemical Engineering, the actual structural design should be done by a Structural Engineer (Civil Engineer). However, everyone on this forum is qualified in deciding what locations are best and the general conceptual design of a stadium (including designing conceptual models). I might be able to find a Civil Engineer who is interested in volunteering some effort to the structural details.

If we can arrange a meeting with the councilors, I would like to fly down to Halifax for the meeting along with as many others on this forum who would be interested in attending.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I would like to be involved as well.

The Willow Park lands are ideal for a number of reasons. I think that residential and retail components would be crucial for this development to be a success.

This project could revitalize Young St.

[Overground]

Great thread guys and I sure hope you get a stadium soon! Just to chime in on the hypothetical idea of a floating pitch like the one in Singapore. It really isn't practical and it would be going against what all other stadia designs are doing in the world, getting the seats as close as possible to the action. Then there's the long term cost of having a floating structure. Maintenance, how long will it last? Surely a permanent land structure is a better and reliable long term investment.

If, you were to build with water in mind, perhaps look at the second proposal for the Waterfront Stadium(still an epic story) in Vancouver for Whitecaps FC, where the stadium(30k all-seater) would be built on pilings in the water adjacent to railway land east of Canada Place. SSC discussion on it - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=433909