Strong pro-stadium showing at public session
Posted Oct 13, 2011 05:03:12 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Discussions about the scope and diversity of Halifax’s proposed multi-use stadium dominated the first of four public consultation sessions at the Halifax Forum, and residents in favour seemed to outnumber those wary of the cost.
Out of the 150 residents who attended many suggested building a multi-million dollar sports stadium would be a smart investment.
“Financially, yes, you’re going to have a cost to begin with, but it’s all going to come back in the end,” Joannie told News 95.7 during the meeting. “In the 70s, when Edmonton built its Commonwealth stadium they didn’t have the money to do it. They did it anyway. It’s completely paid for now. They’ve got CFL. They hold concerts.”
Residents suggested the stadium could be home to a Canadian Football League team, but also suggested it would be a good venue for track and field events, concerts, trade shows, and even harness racing.
“I think it’s got to be big enough that the city can grow into it,” said Ron. “What I hear at the meeting, they’re talking about a stadium that’s really too small.”
Still, there were many people speaking against the investment.
“We have to really examine the business case much more carefully,” said Jerry. “As a taxpayer, I’m not prepared to endorse something that’s going to be a drain on taxpayers right now in these economic times.”
Facilitator Tim Merry says the meeting was meant to focus on generating ideas about designs and site locations and opinions for and against the project.
“What we’re trying to do here is gather as diverse a range of opinion as possible, so we can get a real sense of what’s the tapestry of opinion across this region about whether we have a stadium and if we do, what it would look like,” explained facilitator Tim Merry. “So bring your opinion and your perspective, but don’t be attached to it.”
Opinions and recommendations from the four public meetings will form part of the presentation made to council in December, when regional councillors will decide to press ahead with or abandon the stadium proposal.
A decision needs to be made by year’s end in order for organizers of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup to consider Halifax’s bid as a host city.
The sessions are a part of Phase 2 of regional council’s $275,000 feasibility study of the stadium.
The second meeting is being held tonight at Farrell Hall in Dartmouth between 7 and 9 p.m. A third meeting takes place next month, and a fourth in early December.
