Atlantic Schooners

[someone123]

It is fine to debate the merits of various taxes or spending initiatives but it's objectively wrong to suggest that HRM has ballooning debts or is teetering on the brink of some kind of fiscal crisis. Its debt-to-GDP ratio last year was 1.4%, i.e. you could levee a 1.4% tax on the city and pay off all of its debt in 1 year. That ratio is down by about 30% in the past couple decades.

Arguably it makes more sense to take on debt today as population growth is higher. Interest rates are up but to historically fairly moderate levels so far.

You can see the old reports here: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/bud...d-budget-books

[quityourwhining]

Spend the money and get a (somewhat) suitable outdoor stadium. Its a disgrace that a city the size of Halifax doesnt have a suitable facility. Halifax had a perfect opportunity with the 2014 Commonwealth games, but chose to be small-minded.

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by quityourwhining

Spend the money and get a (somewhat) suitable outdoor stadium. Its a disgrace that a city the size of Halifax doesnt have a suitable facility. Halifax had a perfect opportunity with the 2014 Commonwealth games, but chose to be small-minded.

Good old Peter pulling our Commonwealth bid was the smartest thing he ever did. The original bid was the brainchild of that everspending Fred McGilvery. Its was supposed to be at most 1 Billion but Liberals with other peoples money just can not hold back. It probably would have cost the newly amalgamated HRM close to 2.5-3 Billion in 1998 dollars.

If Halifax is going to have a permanent stadium it will happen organically just like the owner of the Wanderers is doing. Fun, baby, consistent steps. He is making the Wanderers and more importantly the grounds an integral part of the entertainment landscape in Halifax. Let the roots grow deeper.

Public funds will be a very touchy subject until the reality and perception of a better healthcare outcome delivers.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Dartguard

If Halifax is going to have a permanent stadium it will happen organically just like the owner of the Wanderers is doing. Fun, baby, consistent steps. He is making the Wanderers and more importantly the grounds an integral part of the entertainment landscape in Halifax. Let the roots grow deeper.

Value for dollar hosting the CWGs to get a CFL-ready stadium would have been very low. And I think the net benefit of having bells and whistles vs. a bare bones 15,000 or 20,000 person stadium is low. Furthermore I don't think the CFL will avoid Halifax if it has a 15-20k stadium just because it's not nice enough. even though of course they will ask for it to be as nice as possible. The stadium has to be large enough that they can offer ticket prices the local market will support while making enough money. Toronto's average attendance is about 11k and many of the teams are far below selling out their venues on average (40-70% attendance).