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Canada recently won the rights to host the 2015 FIFA event. What does this mean for Halifax Regional Municipality?
It means that Halifax congratulates the Canadian Soccer Association and supports them as they move their process forward in preparation to host this exciting event.
It also means that the HRM’s Stadium Analysis project will continue as planned, so that Regional Council will have the opportunity to review the proposed business plan and make an informed decision about whether or not to proceed to Phase 2 of the analysis called Consultation, Site Selection and “Building Program.”
What is required by Halifax Regional Municipality in order to be considered a Host City for FIFA 2015?
There are a number of requirements for the HRM, if selected as a Host City. The most significant item is the requirement to provide an outdoor venue with a minimum seating capacity of 20,000, which can include a mix of temporary and permanent seating.
If a stadium was built, who chooses where it would be situated?
Site specific considerations will be analysed through the Phase 2 Consultation, Site Selection and “Building Program.” Site specific suggestions or principals that are discovered in any of the Phase 1 Consultation and Business Planning Analysis will be referred to Phase 2.
How can I add my comments to the decision-making process?
One of the cornerstones of the Stadium Consultation, Business Planning, Site Selection and Design Process is strong consultation roles for citizens, stakeholders and Regional Council. Consultation with all interested individuals and groups is a major component of the RFP issued for the review process.
Your comments can be sent along through to HRM staff by emailing: stadium[at]halifax.ca
In addition, as the analysis gets underway, citizens will be informed of opportunities to provide feedback by chekcing at www.halifax.ca/stadium
With all of the discussion over the past many years on a potential stadium, why move forward now?
While a stadium has been discussed as a possibility for HRM off and on for the past 20 years, it is clear that the FIFA bid may hold potential for funding from other levels of government and private partners that may not be available again for some years to come. In addition, the level of analysis done previously was not as comprehensive as the planning being done now. This business planning and consultation process will help to inform Council about a broad scope of needs, uses, potential partners, operating and ownership models and more. Council will decide after this analysis is done, whether or not to begin the Phase 2 analysis.
How much would a stadium cost?
The answer to this question will be developed in Phase 2 of the analysis. The study would at that time look at ensuring any approved project is the right size facility for the right purpose. It would be premature to suggest at this time what any yet-to-be-proposed project might cost.
How can HRM afford such a project?
HRM would look at various means to sustain the capital and operating costs of such a major project. However, there are many positive returns which must also be factored into such an expenditure including the development of civic pride, economic development opportunities, the benefit to sport, recreation, leisure for the region, the creation of a social gathering place and the ability to offer an internationally-recognized facility. All of these aspects of the project will be evaluated as part of the business planning analysis.
Does every provincial capital have a stadium?
Different cities and municipalities have different facilities and infrastructure. Our model in HRM is to evaluate each project based on its own merits, while ensuring that we move forward in a responsible way. Council provides approved direction in order to meet their mandate and there are significant strategic plans to guide decision making such as the Regional Plan and the Community Facility Master Plan.
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