‘Tough decisions’: Halifax committee keeps proposed $4M skate park upgrades after debate

The Halifax budget committee debated a $4-million skate park project on Tuesday.

The Halifax budget committee voted to keep a proposed $4-million skate park upgrade on a list of advanced tender requests following a debate that underscored the tough financial decisions they will need to make in the coming months.

The committee, which is in the midst of deliberations on the 2026-2027 budget process, received the capital program update and schedule of advanced tender requests on Tuesday.

The report for the committee noted the growing population, long-deferred infrastructure maintenance and city-building strategic priorities will shape the capital planning process.

“The capital program investment demand has tripled since the 2019/20 capital plan was presented,” the report reads. “Despite great interest and pressure both publicly and politically to deliver proposed transformative citybuilding projects, these large and complex endeavors continue to face many challenges in delivery at the same rate of speed as past projects. Such delays impact on the available funding and resources for other work.”

The capital advanced tender requests list included projects like recreation trails, shoreline improvements, bus stop accessibility and a $4.3-million upgrade to the skate park at the Halifax Common.

Coun. Trish Purdy brought forward a motion seeking to strike the skate park project from the list, noting that she sees higher priority projects that need attention and funding.

“We have so many assets that need to be renovated and renewed,” Purdy said. “I’m thinking of Cole Harbour Place, which is in desperate need of updates. In my mind, a skate park is not a high priority when we’re faced with tough decisions.

“We’ve been told over and over again by our staff that we have to make hard decisions and it doesn’t seem like we want to make hard decisions. We want to do it all, and our residents will pay through the nose if we do it all.”

Last month, Halifax council revealed a potential 10.5 per cent property tax hike is on the books to support an $88.9-million increase to the municipality’s budget.

“In a time when we’re in the budget constraints we’re in, I’m looking for low-cost alternatives to keep the park going,” said Mayor Andy Fillmore, who voted in favour of Purdy’s motion to remove the skate park from the list.

Maggie MacDonald, executive director of parks and recreation, said the skate park is nearing its end of life and would only last a year or two with minor repairs.

Council ultimately voted 12-to-four in favour of keeping the skate park on the list. Coun. Shawn Cleary argued it’s important for the municipality to maintain its current assets.

“It is well used for a lot of reasons,” he said. “We created these (parks) to give people a space that’s safe. It’s got to be done. People want skating. Skate parks are important assets for our communities.”

The budget committee will have a public participation session on Jan. 27, 2026.

-With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Callum Smith

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page