Stadium to move forward – in another six months
Posted Dec 7, 2011 04:44:45 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HRM politicians made a couple of big decisions at the latest city hall meeting – and it was all done in public.
On Tuesday, regional council revisited the two-week old decision to reject Molson Coors’ funding offer for the oval. After nearly three hours of debate, councillors voted to take the $400,000 for ten years of naming rights at the neighbouring events plaza.
Council also voted to move ahead with a proposed stadium in HRM – but not to make a final commitment by month’s end.
A briefing on the public consultation process and the Phase 2 report summed up the proposal for a 14,000 seat facility that can accomodate up to 20,000 with temporary seating, located in Dartmouth Crossing.
However, staff recommended asking the Canadian Soccer Association for another six months in order to secure funding partners.
CSA officials were expecting a commitment by the end of the month in order to keep Halifax in the running as a possible host city for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We don’t have any answers yet, there’s interest but there’s no one giving dollars at this time,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “We’ve also met with Minister MacKay last week in Ottawa and the sport minister.”
Coun. Jennifer Watts (Connaught-Quinpool) says she’s getting a message of caution from her constituents.
“I have been hearing from people who in fact are very adamant they want this, some of them who want it but say not this model, it has to be bigger,” she said. “But I’ve also heard from many people saying ‘Please don’t build a stadium.'”
Kelly says that now councillors have voted to proceed with the project, the city can approach potential sponsors with a more comprehensive, formal pitch.
But Coun. Sue Uteck wasn’t optimistic about funding prospects.
“What do you think will change in six months under the Dexter government, who’s told us they can’t afford it, or the federal government, who’s moving to remove 14000 or 40000 people from civil service?” she asked.
After a debate that lasted more than two hours, council voted 15-5 to move ahead. City staff can now begin discussions with landowners to secure a stadium site, as well as approaching funding partners.
