Halifax Rocks 2009

July 16, 2009

Power Promotional Events will be hosting Halifax Rocks 2009 with headliner Kiss this Saturday, July 18th. The show will also feature Thornley, The Trews, Econoline Crush and the Novaks. The gates open and music starts at 2:30 p.m. The show is scheduled to end at midnight.

Stage Location

The stage for the concert will be located on the northwest corner of the North Common bordered by Cunard and Robie Streets.

Web Page for Area Residents and Businesses

Online – anytime: www.halifax.ca/concertonthecommon/index.html

HRM has established this special website to host information relating to the Concerts on the Common and impact on municipal services and the municipality. This information will provide answers to your questions about transit, parking, police and emergency presence, site construction schedules and other municipally related inquires; however, band- or tour-specific information (e.g. ticket or merchandise sale questions, vendor inquiries, etc.) can be directed to the promoter, Power Promotional Events, at 468-1236 or online at Ticket Atlantic (www.ticketatlantic.com).

Police & Emergency

Halifax Regional Police officers, dedicated to the concert, will be present on the Common for both shows.

Streets/Sidewalks

There will be no street or sidewalk closures for either concert.

Parking

HRM will be enforcing parking restrictions in areas directly adjacent to the Common. Parking on the south side of Cunard (from Robie Street to North Park Street) will be restricted to concert use only from July 3rd to 21st. All other parking next to the Common (North Park Street, Cogswell and Robie Street) will remain unchanged, except on concert dates (July 11th & 18th). On these dates, there will be no parking on streets that abut the Common.

North Common Pathways

Pathways on the Common will remain open for as long as possible during the concert set-ups, performances and equipment removal. The pathways in the northwest corner of the Common, where stage and bleachers will be located, will be closed from July 5th to 22nd. It is expected that all other pathways will be open until the day before each concert.

Improved Protective Measures

After the Keith Urban concert in August 2008, HRM implemented the following restoration efforts:

• tilled then levelled all affected areas; placed fill in any low spots to level out playing areas
• fertilized the concert area and the entire North Common
• overseeded the entire concert area
• reshaped the ball diamonds to reflect their actual usage size (over the years the infields became larger and expanded into the outfields) 

These measures have reinstated the Common to pre-concert conditions.

In preparation of the 2009 summer concerts, HRM has:

• installed dry wells to areas that were low and held water for an extended period of time (these dry wells allow the water to drain faster, which in turn will allow HRM staff to open the fields faster after it rains)
• core-aerated entire North Common
• fertilized the impacted area with a “starter fertilizer”: a fast-acting high-nitrogen content fertilizer for faster grass growth
• fertilized remainder of the North Common
• again overseeded the impacted areas to ensure turf stability

 Before each concert, HRM will:

• apply a half-dose of fertilizer to the entire North Common with the possibility of another core-aeration if time permits (the fertilizer will allow for better grass growth during and after the concert timeframes; the aeration will allow for air and water to reach the grass roots)
• time-permitting, HRM will also overseed this year’s concert site (this will allow the grass to start to germinate over this time and start growing when the concert is over)

After both concerts, HRM will:

• install new backstops on diamonds 1, 2, 3 & 4
• add new infield soil to all affected ball diamonds
• core-aerate to elevate soil and grass compaction
• apply another half-dose of fertilizer and overseed the concert area

This year, HRM plans to have staff assist with directing concert vehicles as there will be designated areas where the vehicles will be permitted. This strategy will keep most of the vehicles off most of the outfields and limited to the perimeter of the Common.

Clean Up

HRM is working to keep the Common and surrounding area clean both during and after the concert. We hope everyone attending the concert will take advantage of the litter bins placed throughout the Common to make clean up easier.

HRM is committed to returning the Common and surrounding areas to their pre-concert conditions as soon as possible.

Transit

In addition to regular Saturday service, Metro Transit is providing a special shuttle service to the concert to assist in reducing the number of cars travelling to the Common and to provide concert-goers a convenient method of transportation. More information on this shuttle service can be found at:

http://www.halifax.ca/ConcertOnTheCommon/ConcertsontheCommon-transit.html

Noise

The promoter requested that the time limit for noise on the actual night of the concerts be extended to accommodate concert construction, performance and dismantling. On the days leading up to and after each concert, the noise by-law hours may be exceeded to accomodate concert-related work. Halifax regional council granted this request during a public hearing on June 23rd.

Be Safe (maximum capacity: your judgement)

If you are planning to invite people over to catch a glimpse of the activities, please follow all safety and code guidelines for maximum capacities and railings on your decks, porches, balconies and roofs. Find out what your structure is rated to withstand and do not exceed that weight.

Area councillors Dawn Sloane and Jennifer Watts are being updated on a regular basis. Interested residents may contact them at:

Councillor Dawn Sloane: 490-4752 (o); 488-4812 (cell)

Councillor Jennifer Watts: 497-4748 (cell)

Paul McCartney and Halifax Rocks 2009

June 10, 2009

Power Promotional Events will be hosting two back-to-back concerts this summer on the Halifax Common. On Saturday, July 11th, Paul McCartney is scheduled to play his only Canadian date this year. The following Saturday, July 18th, Halifax Rocks 2009 hits the stage with headliner Kiss and will also feature Thornley, The Trews, Econoline Crush and the Novaks. The gates open and music starts at 2:30 p.m. for both concerts. Shows are scheduled to end at midnight.

As with any major event, impact to neighbouring areas in terms of noise and ease of access is expected. HRM will keep residents informed of all concert-related activity through newsletters - as done with concerts in previous years. HRM remains committed to minimizing the impact on neighbouring residents. The experiences of past concerts have led to new, improved measures to ensure the Halifax Common is protected and restored as soon as possible.

HRM is very proud to be considered an event city and is excited to host these summer concerts. Your cooperation and support is greatly appreciated.

Web Page for Area Residents and Businesses

Online - anytime: www.halifax.ca/concertonthecommon/index.html

HRM has established this special web page to host information relating to the Concerts on the Common. This information will provide answers to your questions about transit, parking, police and emergency presence, site construction schedules and other municipally related inquiries; however, band- or tour-specific information ( e.g. ticket or merchandise sale questions, vendor inquiries, etc.) can be directed to the promoter, Power Promotional Events, at 468-1236, or online at Ticket Atlantic (www.ticketatlantic.com). A public open house to provide information about the concerts is scheduled for June 23, 2009 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Halifax City Hall, 1841 Argyle St. Halifax. Residents are welcome to attend.

Council - Public Hearing & Noise By-law Exemption Consideration -
June 23, 2009

The promoter is required to adhere to time limits set out in HRM's Noise By-law. However, council may consider an exemption to these time limits in certain circumstances. The promoter has requested that the time limit for noise on the actual night of the concert be extended to accommodate the set-up and clean-up. At the June 23rd regional council meeting, the public will be given an opportunity to speak to council about Power Promotions' application for these two concerts. This meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Halifax City Hall.

Stage Location

The stage for each concert will be located on the northwest corner of the North Common bordered by Cunard and Robie Streets.

Be Safe - Maximum Capacity: Your Judgment

If you are planning to invite people over to catch a glimpse of the activities, please follow all safety and code guidelines for maximum capacities and railings on your decks, porches, balconies and roofs. Find out what your structure is rated to withstand and do not exceed that weight.

Improved Protective Measures

After the Keith Urban concert in August 2008, HRM implemented the following restoration efforts on the Common:

These measures have reinstated the Common to pre-concert conditions.

In Preparation of the 2009 Summer Concerts, HRM Has:

It is important to note that planned improvements to the Commom were made after the 2008 concert as well as after severe winter conditions.

Before Each Concert HRM Will:

After Both Concerts HRM Will:

This year, HRM will be directing concert vehicles to designated areas. This strategy will keep the vehicles off most of the outfields and limited to the perimeter of the Common.

Clean Up

HRM is working to keep the Common and surrounding area clean both during and after the concert. We hope everyone attending the concert will take advantage of the litter bins placed throughout the Common to make clean up easier. HRM is committed to returning the Common and surrounding areas to their pre-concert conditions as soon as possible.

Vending Information

All questions about vending on the concert site should be directed to the promoters (468-1236). Regarding vending on HRM property, the interests of public safety require that all interested food vendors apply for a vending permit and have their facilities inspected by HRM. For vending on private property, Provincial Public Health and Occupational Health and Safety legislation must be followed and appropriate zoning is required. The promoter is responsible for negotiating and managing food and beverage contracts for the event. Vendors will need a food permit from the NS Deptartment of Agriculture (424-4560).

Area councillors Dawn Sloane and Jennifer Watts are being updated on a regular basis. Interested residents may contact them at: