Halifax Stadium Discussion

[CorbeauNoir]

Originally Posted by Empire

I rest my case....................

Chronicle Herald
Submitted by Bruce DeVenne on Sun, 2010-10-31 09:52.
People have to smell the coffee of fiscal reality
A properly done study on a stadium said that a stadium even with a CFL team would be a financial burden on the HRM taxpayers. Move some of the new construction off the penninsula and you would solve some of the traffic problems. We need a library but build a library not a monument to political ego and overspending. If St Johm NB can build a functioning police atation for $22 million we should be able to fulfill our needs for a library for about that amount. Wake up! The province is in debt 13 billion and climbimg and are dumping costs directly on to the HRM homeowners we no longer can afford the insane spending spree that governments have been on for the past 30 or so years

Whenever I see something written by the Bruce guy I can't help but picture some stodgy old man wearing Amish garb..

[halifaxboyns]

He posts on the 'Save the view' group all the time - your description isn't far off. I joined the group just to take them down a couple pegs
I find when I read his stuff; I get annoyed. But the fact is; he's trying to make himself out to be this fiscal conservative so that when the next election comes around he can try to be elected. Regardless if he does; he's one vote. Besides, I suspect he's a wing nut anyway.

[hoser111]

November 11, 2010
New CFL stadium for Blue Bombers to cost over $160 million
WINNIPEG
Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz says the cost to build a new Blue Bombers stadium at the University of Manitoba is even higher than the $160 million reported last week.
Katz says the stadium, as designed, will cost more than that, but wouldn’t say by how much.
The mayor also says Creswin Properties chairman David Asper could decide to remove himself from the deal altogether and the stadium would then become community owned.
A decision about who will be involved in the stadium project and how much it will cost will likely come next week.
Katz said he and the other stakeholders in the project have been crunching the numbers over the past few days and they’re still looking for savings.
“I think what everyone should know right now is that we’re looking at the numbers that have come in and we’re seeing whether or not there are savings that can be had in those numbers,” Katz said.
Premier Greg Selinger said the final cost of the stadium will be confirmed among all of the stakeholders before it is released to the public, and that hasn't happened yet.
“It is quite clear there are serious cost pressures there that we're all grappling with right now, but the number will come out when we all come to a place where we can do it together,” Selinger said.
Manitoba Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen criticized Selinger’s handling of the stadium project.
“It's not going to serve tax payers or Bombers fans over the long run,” said McFadyen
McFadyen said it was irresponsible for the premier to sign on to the deal before knowing the final cost of the project.
-Canadian Press

[fenwick16]

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers organization has chosen a fairly luxurious design. It tells me that Halifax should go with a proven economical design instead of something unique. Examples of stadiums that I think would work for Halifax are the Cardiff City Stadium and Akron's InfoCision Stadium (with a partial roof). These stadiums were built recently for about $2,500 per seat. The Winnipeg Stadium will cost about $5,000 per seat (or more).

[halifaxboyns]

Fenwick is probably right to a degree. I wonder if it's possible to build something economical, but upgradable? Add more seats, boxes that sort of thing? Eventually come out with something bigger and better?

[Empire]

Kelly must go! We need a community leader with vision!

Huskies Stadium needs more repairs

Press box closed to deal with mould, roof leak
By WILLY PALOV Sports Reporter
Wed, Nov 17 - 4:54 AM

Huskies Stadium reached a new level of disrepair on Tuesday when Saint Mary’s University decided to close the press box temporarily because of mould and a leaky roof.....................................


http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/1212436.html

[fenwick16]

I keep wondering how a fair size municipal stadium could be built close to the universities. I just can't see the Huskies using a stadium in Dartmouth (but I could be wrong).

[halifaxboyns]

I can't think of how you could do it without having to spend a lot of money to acquire property, demolish what's on it and then build a new stadium. I think back to the discussion we had of the site just up from St. Mary's where the two schools and playing field are. That (for me) would be the only spot that I could think of having a stadium close to the university. It would very close to SMU and still a close distance to DAL, but then you'd end up loosing two schools.

I don't think there is an easy spot close to the universities anymore unless you build the arm bridge/tunnel crossing and then put it on the other side?

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I don't think there is an easy spot close to the universities anymore unless you build the arm bridge/tunnel crossing and then put it on the other side?

I would be literally jumping up and down with joy if that were seriously proposed (and all the anti-development people were sent on an extended paid vacation long enough for it to occur).

PS: I know that a tunnel won't be built just to service a stadium. I think that a North West Arm Tunnel is a good idea to provide additional access to the peninsula.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

I keep wondering how a fair size municipal stadium could be built close to the universities. I just can't see the Huskies using a stadium in Dartmouth (but I could be wrong).

Gorsebrook field area. Robie Street connector could handle a fair amount of traffic.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by someone123

Gorsebrook field area. Robie Street connector could handle a fair amount of traffic.

I knew someone would think of the name of it.
Like I said; it's doubtful that it could occur. If people are upset over the money for a convention centre; just think how upset they'd get to demo too much needed schools, a park, fields to build a stadium lol. Actually maybe it wouldn't be so bad because you'd send someone like Bruce Devanne into a heart attack?

[fenwick16]

Gorsebrook would be an ideal location and it is large enough to accommodate a 25,000 seat plus stadium. It could have a tenant immediately (SMU Huskies).

The University of Calgary stadium (McMahon) and McGill University stadium (Percival Molson Stadium) host both university football and the CFL. Currently excavation is underway to build a stadium at the University of Manitoba that will host the CFL Blue Bombers. Many years ago the University of Toronto Varsity Stadium hosted the Toronto Argonauts (since the Argonauts moved many years ago, it has been down-sized). Gorsebrook field would essentially be a SMU associated field.

I also think that a DND Willow Park site would work for SMU (since they currently play some SMU hockey games at the Halifax Forum). They could keep their football field for practice and play their games at that DND location. The West Mall area would also work if there is at least 10 acres available (some parking already exists).

[hfx_chris]

The Gorsebrook field area is kind of a weird block of land.. schools at each end, and a large complex near the middle that I believe has something to do with the IWK hospital. I don't think you would need to get rid of both schools however, since the site should be big enough to accomidate a stadium and parking structure on the southern half of the block (which would require the demolition of the Inglis school), however Gorsebrook Jr High shouldn't need to be touched at all...I would think

[hfx_chris]

Chris Cochrane with the CH seems to be really on board the stadium train lately.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/1212793.html

Published: 2010-11-19

Why should we have to wait so long?

By CHRIS COCHRANE Sports Reporter

We’re often told by those who pull the strings in Halifax that this city is one of Canada’s emerging urban powers, a place worthy of hefty investment and one of the most attractive destination points in the country.

Maybe those who make such grand statements don’t understand that for many of us ordinary taxpayers, Halifax just doesn’t come off as being that impressive in some key areas.

This is a municipality with a population of close to 400,000 and yet we still don’t have a decent medium-size stadium and its accompanying perks. Why?

For decades, we’ve been told federal money would be available to help build a stadium in Halifax once the city landed an international sporting event that was large enough to justify the construction cost.

I’m tired of that charade; it’s become a weak excuse.

Why must an international event be lured here before the feds dole out their portion of the money needed to build the stadium we need and deserve?

Remember, the three levels of government were prepared to fund a stadium when Commonwealth Games fever was high. But because we belatedly showed a bit of financial sanity and dropped the bid for the overpriced Games, the feds got all embarrassed and seem to be punishing us.

Dropping out of the Commonwealth Games bidding didn’t nullify our need for a stadium. If the funding was available before the Games plug was pulled, why isn’t it there now for a more moderately priced stadium?

It seems the latest dream being used to keep stadium seekers at bay is the 2015 women’s World Cup. Canada is said to be one of the major contenders to host the soccer tournament, and Halifax hopes to be one of the six Canadian cities in which games would be played. The thinking seems to be that if all goes according to plan, the feds will see to it that a stadium is built here.

What I’d like to know is why a city of this size has to jump through hoops to get something that many other Canadian cities have enjoyed for a long time?

Why are so many local politicians so reluctant to openly support, if not lead, the drive to bring a stadium to Halifax?

Surely they see the need. Hopefully they heard Saint Mary’s officials announce this week that the press box at Huskies Stadium has been closed because the roof is still leaking and mould might be a problem. Huskies Stadium, built in 1970, was our best option for a long time, but it’s in pretty sad shape now.

Unfortunately it’s still the best option this city has to offer.

The university says it can’t afford to spend a lot of money on Huskies Stadium so it’s asking for government help because the public also uses the facility.

So now we’re in a real mess. We can’t get a new stadium and our second-best option is falling apart.

How can a city that gives the green light to far more expensive projects like a downtown library and a suburban arena turn a blind eye to our stadium woes?

It’s well past time our elected representatives at all levels got real about this. If they believe a stadium isn’t justified in this market, they should stand up and say so. Tell us why not.

But if they believe it is, they should get off their arses and join the fight to finally get a suitable stadium built.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Chris Cochrane with the CH seems to be really on board the stadium train lately.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/1212793.html

The Halifax area needs people in the media to continue promoting the stadium, as he has in the past. Hopefully Chris Cochrane will keep writing about it. It must be frustrating for a sports writer not to have a decent size stadium in the city.

[someone123]

I agree with the article. A stadium is a valid project in its own right because there are a variety of uses for the facility. A first step is to have the city plan for the stadium. It could be built in 2-3 years once the current round of capital projects is completed.

The 2015 Women's World Cup thing sounds very far-fetched to me as an excuse for building a stadium. They only need 6 cities and there are more than 6 Canadian cities that currently have passable stadiums. I can't possibly see somebody claiming that event as a kind of tipping point for the viability of a new stadium in Halifax.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by someone123

I agree with the article. A stadium is a valid project in its own right because there are a variety of uses for the facility. A first step is to have the city plan for the stadium. It could be built in 2-3 years once the current round of capital projects is completed.

The 2015 Women's World Cup thing sounds very far-fetched to me as an excuse for building a stadium. They only need 6 cities and there are more than 6 Canadian cities that currently have passable stadiums. I can't possibly see somebody claiming that event as a kind of tipping point for the viability of a new stadium in Halifax.

The six cities would be...?
- Vancouver
- Edmonton
- Regina
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Halifax

[Empire]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

The Halifax area needs people in the media to continue promoting the stadium, as he has in the past. Hopefully Chris Cochrane will keep writing about it. It must be frustrating for a sports writer not to have a decent size stadium in the city.

Finally some much needed exposure. What does it take to get the attention of the apathetic political scene in NS.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Empire

The six cities would be...?
- Vancouver
- Edmonton
- Regina
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Halifax

My intention was not to clame that the event shouldn't be held in Halifax. My point was that it's questionable to claim that the stadium in Halifax is only worthwhile if the city hosts this event.

I don't think the process should be on hold until there is a major event. I think the major events are often a waste of money, and that even if you wanted to hold them it's better off to have a good stadium to begin with to help the bid.

[fenwick16]

I think that a lot of people will be very disappointed if Canada doesn't get selected to host the 2015 FIFA Cup. It should be a good tournament since Canada is strong in woman's soccer. However, the reality is that many people see it as a chance to get federal funding for a Halifax stadium. Unfortunately, if it doesn't go through and Halifax doesn't become a host city then I don't think that there will be much political will to build a stadium in Halifax. So it would be a big let down. It would be almost like strike 3 and Halifax is out for a long time (the 1994 Commonwealth Games which should have gone to Halifax instead of Victoria, the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the FIFA 2015 Cup, you could also add the 1983 Atlantic Schooners). At some point even staunch supporters will give up.

My biggest concern is that the municipality and province might just decide that it is not a priority and just ignore it once again. It is just too easy for them to say that they are being fiscally responsible by not supporting it. Will the NDP be different? We will have to wait and see.