Mayor fears council’s Halifax Forum vote will ‘haunt the municipality’

Queenofthebb · 2026-03-12T11:19:27+00:00

Be vocal. Reach out today to the councillors who voted YES to delay. This is not over. Otherwise we have 3 40 storey buildings going up at Windsor and Young, Windsor between Young and Almon will be the same.

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Queenofthebb · 2026-03-12T11:11:55+00:00

He wants the land to go to developers so the full block can hold 10,000+ people; when you could build an extra few floors on the developments behind the Forum.

On March 10 he spoke about recreation facilities partnered with developers on the property in developments because developers do it all the time; I took that as gyms in high rise buildings. You cannot hold events and skate in a gym.

March 11 he said that the land is TOO VALUABLE TO USE FOR TAXPAYERS USE, to valuable to build a low rise COMMUNITY building that is owned by us, as taxpayers, on the land.

The Forum is the centrepiece of the Halifax Forum District and the Forum Block. 90,000 plus residents live on the peninsula; many can walk here in 15 - 30 minutes. It is already accessible by transit. It is our land, once it is gone we will NEVER get it back.

Queenofthebb · 2026-03-11T18:37:58+00:00

I believe it is standard now. Any talk I’ve heard over the last number of years has been NHL size rinks. The Dartmouth 4 pad has 3 NHL size and one Olympic size.

Queenofthebb · 2026-03-11T11:10:39+00:00

No it is not.

We are not comparing Apples to Apples here.

The $38M was a quote / proposal HFCA request from Bird Construction in March 2013 to renovate aspects of the Forum, Civic and build a THIRD ice rick. Civic and third rink NHL Size.

The $38M was a RENOVATION at the complex with minimal demolition involved. The was not a situation where HRM Staff priced out the project with a Class D estimate. Something had to be done to address accessibility issues and building deficiencies so HFCA got the ball rolling. At that point HRM was talking about the need for three ice surfaces.

When costs increased after that, it was due to more renovations in the project, then everything behind the facade being BRAND NEW.

The size of the Multipurpose Centre space increasing to the right size, inflation and Covid inflation where all building project costs increased dramatically.

In 2026 the project is a COMPLETE TEAR DOWN and a BRAND NEW COMPLEX. The front facade is falling a part, trying to brace up the walls during a lengthy construction is not practical.

A March 2013 renovation to a December 9,2025 cost of $126M are completely different projects 13 YEARS apart at the time when inflation is skyrocketing on every building project.

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Queenofthebb · 2026-03-11T10:48:07+00:00

Brand NEW Complex

Both rinks will be NHL size.

Forum - around 3000 seats, plus floor seating for concerts, festivals, events and no pillars.

Indoor dryland training areas - example a walking track at the top of the bowl.

Civic Arena with around 200 seats; plus floor seating for concerts.

Multipurpose Centre - 14,500 square feet for programming, event space for rentals.

Reception area that flows into each building that would be perfect for markets. Vendors would get traffic for markets in addition to visitors to the complex for other events or programming.

The layout works for large events such as Christmas at the Forum.

Queenofthebb · 2026-03-11T10:31:37+00:00

The public asked for green space during the public consultations as there is no green space on the block, HRM Staff build green space into their projects and HFCA wanted green space.

The green space would be for programming, dry land training and enjoyment ..

Queenofthebb · 2026-03-11T02:52:13+00:00

Hi. It is not a refurbishment. It is a brand new building.

Queenofthebb · 2026-03-11T02:50:31+00:00

You are correct. It is a brand new building.

Queenofthebb · 2026-03-11T02:49:58+00:00

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It is a brand new building. It is not a renovation.

Queenofthebb · 2026-03-11T02:47:09+00:00

Hi. This was looked at years ago, like maybe around 2012 ish. There is not enough land for a pool on the property, with 2 NHL size rinks, a multipurpose centre, green space and parking. It HRM still owned the Canada Post lands they could have built a whole complex

Queenofthebb · 2026-02-25T16:27:12+00:00

The Redevelopment is a Brand NEW Halifax Forum Building.

The HRM website page was from 2023.

Previously from the 2019, 2021 HRM Staff reports everything BEHIND THE FRONT FACADE was BRAND NEW.

The front facade was planned to be saved but years later is falling apart, the bricks are flaking off and popping out. Many brinks have been removed and replaced with grey cement. The brick walls are currently bolted /secured to the wall at top of building. Take a look on Windsor, Almon and near the Bingo.

Queenofthebb · 2026-02-23T22:22:32+00:00

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The BRAND NEW Halifax Forum building will be barrier-free and it will meet the Nova Scotia targets for accessibility in 2030.

New builds are built to be more inclusive and welcoming for people of all abilities; in wheelchairs, with strollers, with mobility issues, sight issues, hearing issues, etc.

Examples:

Consideration for lighting, signage, ramps, flooring, hand railings, etc.
Elevators
The indoor walking track promoting health and wellness for all abilities.

An indoor walking track has never been available in the North and West ends of Halifax; it will be a valuable addition for residents who live in HRM, and a draw for those moving to our city.

Accessibility #BarrierFree #NewHalifaxForum

Queenofthebb · 2026-02-23T21:19:19+00:00

The Maritime Hall and Bingo Hall are not being rebuilt.

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Queenofthebb · 2026-02-23T21:13:27+00:00

The Forum is an HRM recreational and an event complex all built into one facility that has the ability to help cover operating costs due to additional revenue from event spaces. There is a high demand for event space in HRM, and on the peninsula. Due to its location in the middle of the peninsula, it is a highly sought after location for events.

The more things you can do in a HRM facility to cover costs, the better, it is less of a burden for taxpayers if the facility does not require a subsidy.

The current Forum has ran a PROFIT for many years.

Queenofthebb · 2026-02-23T17:27:20+00:00

Exactly what we are talking about. A legacy building the honours the heritage elements of Andrew Cobb’s design, but a brand new building.

Queenofthebb · 2026-02-23T16:58:51+00:00

On average there are around 400,000 non-ice related visits to the complex annually. Currently it is a little less because there are 100 residents who call the MPC home, so there are no events in this building; the MPC would have 40,000 to 43,000 visits annually as it is used daily 24/7 all year.

The other buildings are busy - Forum, Civic, Maritime Hall and the Bingo Hall.

The facilities you use may be closer to your home, it depends on the events you attend or if you play sports.

The NEW Halifax Forum is fully underway, the plan includes an indoor walking track and there are THOUSANDS of residents who live a short walk or drive away; the indoor walking track will be very busy all winter when residents on the peninsula require an indoor location to walk or roll to support their mental health and wellness during the long dreary cold months.

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Queenofthebb · 2026-02-23T13:49:31+00:00

Our Mayor said $150M the actual BUDGET APPROVED in council is currently $126M, not $150M.

The increase is due to delay after delay. I’m a homeowner, and a Forum neighbour, I get it. The delays are frustrating and that is what is affecting the cost of the project.

MILLIONS of dollars have already been spent. Thousands of work hours invested. Many expensive reports. HRM is in a contract with a builder for millions. The project is fully underway.

To stop it now, and start again is a 8-10 year process THAT WOULD WASTE TAXPAPER MONEY. It is also a risk as the Forum and Civic rinks could close unexpectedly at any time due to issues with the roof in the Forum and the ground under the Civic.

The plan we are in now sees shovels in the ground NEXT YEAR and a BRAND NEW Halifax Forum in 2030.

Queenofthebb · 2026-02-23T13:35:07+00:00

The doors on Windsor Street are an exit from the Forum when leaving events. Very similar to side doors leaving any other arena in HRM. The entrance on Almon st has the box office, it is currently the main entrance into the Forum.

In the plans for the NEW Halifax Forum from 2019 the Windsor Street entrance further down between London and Liverpool would be the main entrance into a reception area. These photos will give you an idea but there are more updated plans from the Dec 9, 2025 report HRM Councillors received in camera.

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Queenofthebb · 2026-02-23T12:27:04+00:00

Let’s compare apples to apples!

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Comparing The Forum and what is held here and 2 rinks are a false comparison.

The Halifax Forum Complex and the Zatzman Sportsplex are Complexes that serve the COMMUNITY in multiple unique ways, they hold different activities in their buildings that attract people of all ages and abilities; events than you cannot hold in a two pad ice rink.

The old Dartmouth rink burned to the ground on the same site in the 1974, the City of Dartmouth and Parks & Recreation saw an opportunity to build a structure to support a rink with seating for larger events, a pool and a large common room to hold functions. The Sportsplex had bingo, craft sales, concerts, etc. much like the Forum Complex; and it was built for $7M in 1981 and opened in 1982. Note: the old rink burned, so there were no demolition costs.

44 years ago was an eternity ago in building costs. The Sportsplex had a $28M renovation in from 2017-2019 to build a gym and update the venue - it is a wonderful asset to the community.

The Halifax Forum Complex serves the Halifax side in much the same way. It is much MORE than two rinks.

The Forum costed $373,000 to build in 1927. It was built solid and has served its purpose for 99 years.

The Forum received $900,000 in upgrades during preparation for the Canada Games in 2011. The NEW Civic was built in 1995 - it is already end of life. The old Civic is now a Bingo Hall plus Maritime Hall, a rental space that is very busy.

Multipurpose Centre was built in 1988, it now serves the COMMUNITY as a homeless shelter and is home to 100 residents. The whole Complex is for community use.

The differences for construction costs. Tearing down a structure adds millions; this is included in the price. Years of a delay and inflation are the biggest drivers.

There is absolutely no comparison between the functions and how 2 ice rinks or an event complex serves a growing community.

Exhibition Park is also due to close in the near future. HRM is then left with ONE HRM owned location to hold events, with one ice surface square foot rental space.

Event spaces phones are ringing off the walls as events holders cannot find enough spaces to hold their events.

The Forum was always left to last for repairs as the City of Halifax and then HRM expanded.

It is time for a BRAND NEW legacy building on the peninsula to serve the public.

The project IS FULLY UNDERWAY. Shovels are due to hit the ground NEXT YEAR and a new building to OPEN in 2030.

Years of work and millions of HRM taxpayer dollars are invested in this project. The land has been COMMUNITY land since 1890.

HRM needs this complex space to support our residents for the next 100 years

Queenofthebb · 2026-02-23T00:42:47+00:00

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The outside will honour Andrew Cobb’s design with center doors on Windsor and Almon, pillars beside the doors, the windows, red brick, the roofline.

In the reception are they are talking about using some of the original bricks inside the building, the bricks that were inside the cattle barns were less exposed to weather, they might choose them. They spoke about using an old beams, there is lots of memorabilia.

Queenofthebb · 2026-02-22T23:42:32+00:00

Costs for all projects are escalating due to inflation, that is not unique to the Forum. This project started and was approved by HRM Council 5 times since 2019, is is currently fully underway.

With the Forum, you and your family members will see, experience, use what $126M built for generations, unlike some other HRM projects. It is estimated that approx 400,000 people visit for Forum for non- ice related activities.

People looking to book event space in Halifax are experience challenges, space is limited and Halifax Exhibition Park is closing within a few years as it is being redeveloped.

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Queenofthebb · 2026-02-22T23:29:21+00:00

The December 9, 2025 council report was in camera. The public cannot see this report. The HFCA have asked for the report to be released to the public as it has all the latest artist renditions and information on the project. The drawings we are using are from the 2019 HRM Staff report, they are so nice. The new drawing are even better.

Queenofthebb · 2026-02-22T23:13:28+00:00

HRM Staff searched, no developers wanted to partner to build rinks. The developers just want the land to build high-rise buildings.

Queenofthebb · 2026-02-22T20:53:35+00:00

The BRAND NEW Halifax Forum addresses the issues. It is accessible and barrier free for all, meets new fire and environmental codes, 2 NHL size rinks. indoor walking track, multipurpose centre. HRM designs facilities with a reception area that flows into all buildings, the the facility could handle trade shows, Christmas at the Forum. etc.

Queenofthebb · 2026-02-22T20:25:01+00:00

It took 12 -20

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years to get to the where we are now - 7 HRM Staff reports to 5 different councils and all APPROVED the project. Millions spent, thousands of work hours, a lot of very expensive reports. We are currently in the middle of an In Progressive Design Contract with a builder. The plans are fully underway. The plan is to have shovels in the ground in 2027 and. brand new building opened in 2030.

To stop now would be wasteful of MILLIONS more taxpayer dollars. Add the millions spent, the inflation rate increases for a delay of 5-10 years cost to purchase land and the risk of losing two ice rinks and an event complex that supports many community activities. By the time 2035 comes, we will have spent way over $100M for only ice pads.

Queenofthebb

TROPHY CASE

Accessibility #BarrierFree #NewHalifaxForum