HALIFAX - Halifax regional councillors have voted to spend $5.7 million making a temporary, 400 metre skating oval on the Halifax Common a permanent fixture.
Councillors voted in principle to support a staff recommendation to maintain the oval when the committee of the whole met Monday afternoon. A formal ratification was expected at a council meeting Monday night.
The oval proved extremely popular with skaters this past winter when a temporary track was set up for the Canada Games.
The projected cost of making the oval permanent also entails annual operating expenses estimated at $400,000.
Some members of council are concerned about the cost.
Coun. Gloria McCluskey said the oval is a great outdoor facility, but local politicians should be mindful of the fact that the region is looking for almost $30 million in savings over the next two years.
"We keep building and we keep adding and don't stop to think about the operating costs," she said outside the council chambers. "That's what has me worried."
She also pointed out that the oval is not an attraction that will appeal to all residents, noting that children in less-affluent communities won't be able to afford the bus fare to reach the venue.
"The people from Ecum Secum and all down the Eastern Shore, I don't think we've heard from them. They will never get to use the oval ... And I had two calls this morning saying we can't afford additional taxes."
As well, some area residents remain opposed to the idea of locating the rink on the Common, arguing that green space is already limited.
A few businesses, including Emera Inc., have already pledged more than $1 million toward the project.
