It’s been proposed, discussed and seriously debated for close to half a century. But can there really be any doubt that with a regional population of half a million people, Halifax should have a permanent stadium? Greater Moncton, with less than half as many people, has had a stadium since 2010. With permanent seating for 8,300, it can be expanded to accommodate up to 25,000 people, as events dictate. Halifax should have something similar, or perhaps a bit larger. It’s only a question of where to put it and who should pay for it. The Halifax Wanderers men’s soccer club has been playing to crowds of 6,000 in a pop-up stadium on a piece of the Halifax Commons long known as the Wanderers Grounds. The new women’s team, the Tides, has also come ashore there. Adjacent provincially-owned land would likely be needed to build a new stadium proposed by the men’s soccer franchise. While some critics argue governments shouldn’t build a facility on public property for the benefit of for-profit teams, countless public facilities are home to profitable hockey teams. When thousands of members of the general public turn out to watch teams play, that’s an acceptable use of public property – even if it produces a profit. Reducing the debate over whether to build convention centres, arenas and stadia to the issue of cost to taxpayers ignores the fact that communities need large gathering places for community events, many of which also raise funds for charities and community organizations. Halifax doesn’t need a soccer stadium, it needs a stadium for all of the large outdoor events where thousands can gather. That’s an appropriate use of public land and public money.
