Halifax Stadium Discussion

[Empire]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Well, SMU should pay for it and reap the possible rewards. They have the money to do so.

If SMU did rebuild Huskies Stadium they would have to build in potential to expand to 20k seats. If not, a lot of money and effort would be expended without CFL potential.

[planarchy]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Well, SMU should pay for it and reap the possible rewards. They have the money to do so.

SMU does not have the money. They have acknowledged in their 2009 budget significant challenges to balancing budgets in upcoming years and have limited long term funding commitments. Without a lot of help, there is no way SMU could take this project on.

[MaritimeCFLFan]

Here is a look at a new feasibility study just released for a new stadium in Regina.

http://www.riderville.com/article/feasibility-study-into-new-entertainment-facility-released

[fenwick16]

According to a study released today, the cost estimate for the multi-purpose entertainment facility is $386.2 million, including construction, land, consultants' fees and ancillary items; plus furniture, fixtures and equipment. There are some extras or additional costs that could be considered, including a fully retractable roof ($45 million).

I copied this from the link. Do you know what all this includes MaritimeCFLFan? It seems like a lot of money for 33,000 seats (over $11,000 per seat) versus a bit more than $2000 per seat for the InfoCision Stadium which doesn't have a roof.

PS: To avoid an additional post, I will just add to this post: there is a lot of additional information on page 36 of the thread http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=171703&page=36 . The new Regina stadium proposal can also be used as a 17,000 - 23,000 seat hockey/ice show arena. The amazing thing about this stadium proposal is that this will cost close to $400 million and almost everyone on that thread is all for it. The fact that Regina already has a CFL football team makes it a bit more acceptable to Regina area sports fans. This would look great in Halifax - except for the cost.

[dmont]

.

Atlantic Schooners concept logo and uniform:

[alps]

Have these been posted here yet? Diagrams of the proposed Shannon Park sports complex.

[fenwick16]

MonctonRad

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Moncton NB
Posts: 1,549

Mark Cohon, the commissioner of the CFL was interviewed on CTV News this evening by Steve Murphy. There were several interesting take-aways from the interview..........

(1) - The two locations in Atlantic Canada that the CFL would consider for a franchise are Halifax and Moncton (quelle surprise)
(2) - Right now, Moncton would have to be considered the front runner!
(3) - Cohon strongly encourages Halifax to consider building a new stadium capable of hosting a football franchise.
(4) - Cohon let it slip that he has been talking to people in Moncton interested in forming an ownership group!!!. Murphy pressed him on whether this group included Robert Irving but Cohon refused to elaborate.

- Moncton has a stadium. Moncton has civic and provincial support for CFL football. Moncton also has a nacent ownership group in the early stages of being formed.
- Halifax, it's your turn to step up to the plate (whoops, wrong sport)

This was posted by MonctonRad in the "CFL in the Maritimes" thread. INTERESTING NOTE: The Commissioner has been talking to a potential ownership group in the Moncton area.

PS: This isn't so far-fetched. A similar situation exists in the NFL - the Green Bay Packers of the NFL are located in a city of 101K with a metropolitan population of 226K and this is not a suburb of a large city, it is the largest city in the area being 180 kilometers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by dmont

.

Atlantic Schooners concept logo and uniform:

Interesting logo dmont. I am starting to wonder which needs to come first - the stadium or a CFL team (maybe this time if a franchise is awarded then the city will actually build a stadium).

[-Harlington-]

(1) - The two locations in Atlantic Canada that the CFL would consider for a franchise are Halifax and Moncton (quelle surprise)
(2) - Right now, Moncton would have to be considered the front runner!
(3) - Cohon strongly encourages Halifax to consider building a new stadium capable of hosting a football franchise.

This is why i don't like our city politicians and so on, the whole country has basically been knocking at our door for the last twenty or so years so we can not only have a pro sport in the city but something that will give us some economic and national recognition. And they realize that were to stupid to do it so they go to a city almost 1/4 of our size but with an actual supportive government (props to moncton for that and if you get the team more so maybe our government will finally learn something when its to late...)

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by -Harlington-

(1) - The two locations in Atlantic Canada that the CFL would consider for a franchise are Halifax and Moncton (quelle surprise)
(2) - Right now, Moncton would have to be considered the front runner!
(3) - Cohon strongly encourages Halifax to consider building a new stadium capable of hosting a football franchise.

This is why i don't like our city politicians and so on, the whole country has basically been knocking at our door for the last twenty or so years so we can not only have a pro sport in the city but something that will give us some economic and national recognition. And they realize that were to stupid to do it so they go to a city almost 1/4 of our size but with an actual supportive government (props to moncton for that and if you get the team more so maybe our government will finally learn something when its to late...)

There is a municipal election coming up in 2012. Any one who would like to see a CFL team and stadium in the HRM should be asking those running for election whether they support a stadium or not (an answer like "the HRM requires a major sports event" or "a private investor should make the first move" means that they are useless).

[-Harlington-]

I dont know much about this guy Peter Stoffer other than hes the MP for Sackville-Eastern Shore and he thinks the current government doesnt have vision, but really a guy with vision is something we need someone who sees the potential in this city and acts on it. Just like what moncton is doing, and he knows that.

[hfx_chris]

Stoffer's a good guy. I would vote for him in a heartbeat.

[fenwick16]

Hopefully Sloane and Kelly will be voted out in the next election. Then maybe HRM by Design can be reopened. Kelly seems like a good guy but I am a sports fan and fan of Halifax - I want to see Halifax get a CFL team while I am still alive. As far as Sloane goes, she is simply anti-development whether she admits to it or not. Even if in her mind if she isn't anti-deveopment, she is because she doesn't understand that developers must make a profit. She is hurting the HRM.

[planarchy]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Hopefully Sloane and Kelly will be voted out in the next election. Then maybe HRM by Design can be reopened. Kelly seems like a good guy but I am a sports fan and fan of Halifax - I want to see Halifax get a CFL team while I am still alive. As far as Sloane goes, she is simply anti-development whether she admits to it or not. Even if in her mind if she isn't anti-deveopment, she is because she doesn't understand that developers must make a profit. She is hurting the HRM.

I'm read a lot of your posting about a stadium over the past 6 months or so, maybe longer, and I must say, I still don't get it. I understand your, and others desire for a stadium, but pushing it as some miraculous cure-all for the city and region is ridiculous.

There are lots of infrastructure projects that would offer more impact, and be much more inclusive. if supported by public funds, this is about as exclusive as you can get with this sort of infrastructure. 95% of what happens within its walls will have high ticket prices. I really don't see how this is a priority over things like improving public transit, public spaces, playgrounds, renovating metro centre, public library funding, improving or expanding bridge capacities, and even constructing a new convention centre. Maybe then, a stadium. But I would still rather a new performing arts centre, which is a project more at the scale of this city - and of more use on a regular basis.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by planarchy

I really don't see how this is a priority over things like improving public transit, public spaces, playgrounds, renovating metro centre, public library funding, improving or expanding bridge capacities, and even constructing a new convention centre. Maybe then, a stadium. But I would still rather a new performing arts centre, which is a project more at the scale of this city - and of more use on a regular basis.

Explain to me how renovating the Metro Centre is a priority over a stadium? Halifax already has a good facility in the current Metro Centre. Halifax also has a fine performing arts centre in the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium. This shows how ridiculous your opinions are. Are you trolling Planarchy? You just made a comment about me in another section.

I'm read a lot of your posting about a stadium over the past 6 months or so, maybe longer, and I must say, I still don't get it.

Go to the CFL in the Maritime section and see if the people on that forum can explain it you. So you aren't a sports fan, so why are you reading this thread?

[MonctonRad]

I don't think Planarchy understands how sports teams can help define a community and how they can serve as a unifying force, bolstering both civic moral and pride. I know this sounds quite jingoistic but it is true.

One of the most emotional experiences I have had was watching the Wildcats in 2006 making it as far as the Memorial Cup final. That last game at the Moncton Coliseum was really emotional. Another example would be the gold medal final men's hockey game in Vancouver. Just look at the passions THAT unleashed!!

A new stadium in Halifax would be good for more than just a few football games each year. If designed appropriately, other field sports could be accomodated, as well as large outdoor concerts and other public events.

A new stadium for Halifax would be far more useful than renovating or replacing the Metro Centre. The Metro Centre may be aging but it is still perfectly serviceable and at 10,000 seats, is more than large enough for major junior hockey. A larger indoor arena just isn't necessary IMO, and the current location of the Metro Centre is just perfect.

The other infrastructure projects and the new central library that he also mentions ARE important and shouldn't be ignored BUT this does not mean that a new stadium should be relegated to the back burner.

I personally think that a new stadium should be one of the cornerstones that will define the new Halifax.

[planarchy]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Explain to me how renovating the Metro Centre is a priority over a stadium? Halifax already has a good facility in the current Metro Centre. Halifax also has a fine performing arts centre in the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium. This shows how ridiculous your opinions are. Are you trolling Planarchy? You just made a comment about me in another section.

So you aren't a sports fan, so why are you reading this thread?

Simmer down there Fenwick. I'm not sure what has happened to you in the past 24 hours put you seem to be taking things personally, and getting quite nasty against other forum readers/contributors. I didn't make a comment about you in the other thread, I informed you that your take on the HRMbyDesign process as some sort of conspiracy was misinformed.

On topic, I read this thread as I'm interested in possibilities for the region. And I agree that this is a possibility, but I also think that it could be more of a liability than asset to the region if the time isn't right. You are talking a large piece of entertainment infrastructure, and its questionable if it could be supported at this time. And the Cohn is not so fine, as we are the only mid-sized city in the country without a mid-sized (2000-3000) seat arts centre. As well, this is a project that has been discussed, and need for it recognized, over the past 10 years by certain groups, as well as the council itself. So I'm not way off in suggesting this as another need.

I understand the benefits of such a venue, including the notion of defining community that MonctonRAD points out, but I think it has to be a renovation of SMU or nothing at this point. The notion of building a new stadium now, in the hopes of attracting a CFL team, with so many other needy projects around must be questioned.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by planarchy

Simmer down there Fenwick. I'm not sure what has happened to you in the past 24 hours put you seem to be taking things personally, and getting quite nasty against other forum readers/contributors. I didn't make a comment about you in the other thread, I informed you that your take on the HRMbyDesign process as some sort of conspiracy was misinformed.

On topic, I read this thread as I'm interested in possibilities for the region. And I agree that this is a possibility, but I also think that it could be more of a liability than asset to the region if the time isn't right. You are talking a large piece of entertainment infrastructure, and its questionable if it could be supported at this time. And the Cohn is not so fine, as we are the only mid-sized city in the country without a mid-sized (2000-3000) seat arts centre. As well, this is a project that has been discussed, and need for it recognized, over the past 10 years by certain groups, as well as the council itself. So I'm not way off in suggesting this as another need.

I understand the benefits of such a venue, including the notion of defining community that MonctonRAD points out, but I think it has to be a renovation of SMU or nothing at this point. The notion of building a new stadium now, in the hopes of attracting a CFL team, with so many other needy projects around must be questioned.

This is what frustrates me. Sports fans have heard this for decades. I lived in the Halifax area before the Metro Centre was built and Halifax relied on the Halifax Forum (I attended many Nova Scotia Voyageurs games there). Can you imagine what the Halifax area would be like without the Halifax Metro Centre? You are right, building a stadium does have risks and will not necessarily attract a CFL team and that is why I and other are stating that it should be built in stages over a number of years to minimize the risk. I want the HRM council to stick their necks out and do something important for Halifax area sports fans and concert-goers. This is political - a new $100 million dollar Metro Centre could be built and it will look like a successful venue since the current Metro Centre has at least 150 events per year. However, it will not bring any additional events to Halifax (or very few that can not be held in the current Metro Centre). A new stadium has a much greater potential for bringing new events to the city that can not be held in the current Metro Centre or a new Metro Centre. I hope that you will really think about this potential, planarchy and not just dismiss it as the HRM council has done.

I and others are recommending that the HRM council set up a Trust Fund that is sanctioned and run by the HRM staff so that I and others can contribute money and time to raise funds that can be used for detailed planning, site selection and land purchase. In other words start moving in the direction of building a stadium - the city doesn't have to build a $100 million dollar stadium at this point. I believe that if a stadium was planned in detail with input from the public (there is a lot of information on this thread from members of the public - us) then a very acceptable $70 million dollar 28,000 seat arena could be built. This is not a low ball estimate, a 28,000 seat stadium could be built for $30 million. I have literally looked at the cost and specifications of hundreds of stadiums over the past few months. I am not qualified to do the detailed structural design of a stadium (my background is in R&D in the chemical engineering field) but there are certainly structural engineers that the city could hire to start designing a stadium once they select a site.

[Empire]

Perhaps we should start a website that gauges HRM support for a stadium. Councilors names (and Mayor) would be listed and then a column stating whether they support a stadium or not. The inquiry would go through their email system and the website would state that that is how they were contacted. No response would be listed and be seen as either a no or don't care enough to respond. This list would be given publicity through the website until the next election.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Empire

Perhaps we should start a website that gauges HRM support for a stadium. Councilors names (and Mayor) would be listed and then a column stating whether they support a stadium or not. The inquiry would go through their email system and the website would state that that is how they were contacted. No response would be listed and be seen as either a no or don't care enough to respond. This list would be given publicity through the website until the next election.

This is certainly something that I would be interested in knowing even though I don't get to vote. Even a separate thread on SSP could be set up just for that purpose. Some information can be found by Googling the various councillor names plus stadium.