The future of the historic Halifax Forum was played out at Halifax City Council Tuesday.
A motion to demolish the historic arena and build a new four rink arena nearby has been shot down, but Forum supporters say it is only half the battle.
Despite being the cheapest of three arena proposals, the motion to build a four-pad arena was shot down by council, 16 votes to one.
“I’m actually kind of surprised,” says city councillor Jennifer Watts. “I thought it was going to be a closer vote. So, I think it’s just really a strong response back from the public.”
Councillor David Hendsbee was the only one to vote in favour of the four-pad arena.
“I believe the Windsor Park military partnership would have been a great opportunity for us as a municipality,” says Hendsbee. “I think the Forum site has had its day. I thought CFB Windsor Park was a much better offer.”
Now that the four-pad arena idea has been scrapped, Forum supporters are hoping city council will vote in favour of renovating the current Forum. Those renovations would include adding a third rink, expanding the current two rinks, and adding a gymnasium.
“It is a multi-purpose facility. I think it’s in a great location. I think that it’s an historic building that has just an awesome ability to be renovated and refurbished. It’ll be an iconic signature of the north-end way into the future,” says Watts.
“We don’t actually know if it’s safe, because we’re still waiting for the motion to come on the floor, but I think it looks promising, in the fact that council has indicated they’re not going to move forward with the proposal that staff is recommending at this point.
Council eventually decided to ask city staff to come up with a plan to renovate the building, which is a designated heritage building.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Matt Woodman.
