Could Halifax Forum benefit from federal funding? One councillor hopes so

Halifax council discussed the possibility of the federal government helping with the Forum.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Coun. Tony Mancini is hopeful Ottawa will chip in to help fund the Halifax Forum redevelopment to take some of the strain off the municipality.

“I’m concerned about the big price tag around the Forum,” Mancini told reporters Tuesday. “So, if that funding could assist, I think that would be a great application.”

He said municipal staff are actively working on a funding application to the federal government in response to a recent announcement of a big pot of cash.

Ottawa recently announced $755 million to help expand access to sport.

That came after a $51 billion infrastructure fund, called the Build Communities Strong Fund, was announced, with part of that earmarked for sport.

But there are competing priorities in Halifax.

“Many of my colleagues are looking for more rec centers,” Mancini said. “We have a gap in that also.”

“It’s another good opportunity for community-level infrastructure to be built like the Forum,” said Ken Bagnell, CEO of Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic.

“There’s also a pool that’s needed for HRM as well,” Bagnell said. “So, there are some priorities that city hall will have to work out of what’s number one, two and three.”

Rebuilding the Forum is the only option now due to its condition.

Council barely approved the $126-million project in a tie vote back in March, despite the mayor wanting to rebuild elsewhere.

The Halifax Forum Community Association says any chance at federal funding is a good one, because municipalities often face conflicting priorities.

“There’s always demand, there’s always some reason. Unfortunately, recreation and community centers often are the ones that are left behind because whatever the problem of the day is, gets the loudest voice and the most money,” said Paul Card, the association’s chair.

Mancini says federal funding is for shovel-ready projects and he believes the Forum should qualify.

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