Mayor calls for pause on Halifax Forum redevelopment

Mayor Andy Fillmore is calling for a pause on the redevelopment of the Halifax Forum.

Mayor Andy Fillmore is calling to pause redevelopment on the Halifax Forum and wants to explore alternative locations for a new facility.

The Forum, which was built in 1927 and includes two rinks and two community halls, is a venue for sports, recreation, commerce and entertainment.

The Forum’s redevelopment was approved in 2014, with an estimated cost of $38 million. The project, which was originally scheduled for completion in 2019, now carries a price tag of $126 million, according to a news release from the Office of The Mayor.

“The Halifax Forum is part of our shared heritage,” said Fillmore in the news release. “But honouring our past also means making responsible choices for the future - especially when households are feeling the pinch of rising costs across the board.”

Fillmore has requested more information on deferring the redevelopment for next year and discussions are set to continue during the 2026/27 municipal budget process.

“Previous Councils made decisions based on the financial realities of the time,” said Fillmore. “But the world has changed. Costs have risen. Families are stretched. We need to responsibly revisit big-ticket projects and make sure they still make sense today.”

Fillmore says he also wants to explore alternative locations on the peninsula for a new “lower-cost” facility that feature two or three ice pads.

“This is not about walking away from the Forum’s legacy,” said Fillmore. “It’s about ensuring the next generation has access to modern, affordable, sustainable recreation - and we need to start that work now.”

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