Halifax is already short of ice time availability and now that the Halifax Forum is being slated for demolition a minor hockey organization is calling on city hall to pause their redevelopment plan. The Halifax Hawks started a petition calling for plans to halt on the demolition and construction of a new Halifax Forum facility. Tim Boyce, the technical director with the Halifax Hawks Minor Hockey Association says losing two ice pads for three to four years while the new arena is built would impact the development of youth hockey players as teams are already struggling to find appropriate ice time. “Right now, we have teams that don’t have practices,” said Boyce. “Or we have teams that share practice ice.” A spokesperson with the Halifax Regional Municipality said arena ice time is already operating at full-capacity, saying there a shortage of about 100 hours of ice-time per week. Boyce says that shortfall will only grow if the Forum is demolished next year, impacting all ice users in the area. “So, if the Forum closes its doors for three or four years, then it’s going to be over 200 hours,” said Boyce. The Hawks want to see HRM council reverse the plan to redevelop the Forum site and build a four pad arena somewhere else. When the new facility is built, Boyce argues the Forum could be demolished then and the land sold to help pay for the new arena. It’s a similar idea to what HRM Mayor Andy Fillmore has floated, but no alternative site has ever been identified nor has report come to City Hall with financial details. Built in 1926, The Halifax Forum Community Association who manages the facility says the Forum is already on life support and it needs a replacement. “You can’t keep the Forum open for another three or four years like the Hawks are suggesting,” said Paul Card, chair of the association. Card said the ice plant inside the arena broke down last weekend and they’re to close both ice surfaces for three days to allow for repairs. “It’s on its last leg,” said Card. “It’s way past its life cycle.” As for relocating and building a replacement facility elsewhere, Card says the location of the Forum matters, and it needs to remain where it is. Especially as the neighbourhood is expected significantly grow over the next decade said Card. “We’re going to see a housing boom here,” said Card. Development of the Young Street District will transform 11.8 hectares of vacant land adjacent to the Halifax Forum into what mayor Fillmore called a “super-neighbourhood” that will see 10,000 units built. “I can’t think of anything more important than recreation and community space, that people need when there’s a growing city around us,” said Card. An application from HRM to demolish the Halifax Forum is currently awaiting review from the Heritage Advisory Committee. Staff will return to council with a recommendation on how to move forward once the committee votes on the demolition application. The Halifax Forum redevelopment plan comes with a $126 million price tag, which will include two NHL-sized ice pads and a community centre. The municipality is planning to meet with provincial sport organizations in the fall to work together on a solution for managing ice times as fairly and equitably as possible said HRM staff. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
