Halifax Forum rebuild cost rises up to $15M, staff say

The planned replacement for the Halifax Forum could cost $12.8 million to $15 million more than council approved, bringing the price to between $140.8 million and $143.3 million, municipal staff told Halifax regional council on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Council voted unanimously to set a new date in November for a public meeting on demolishing the nearly century-old, municipally registered heritage building, CBC News reported. The original Oct. 1 meeting was cancelled on six days’ notice after staff paused the heritage demolition application because costs had risen past the $128 million council approved.

Staff said the increase of about 10 to 12 per cent still has to be confirmed and could change, since the design is about 75 per cent complete. The plan for the new building includes two NHL-size ice rinks, an indoor walking track, green space and more community and event space, according to the city’s project page.

“I wish it wasn’t going up at all, but unfortunately it is what it is. And the more that we delay the project, the more it’s gonna go up,” said Coun. Virginia Hinch, who represents the Forum area and moved the motion. She said residents felt council had not been transparent about why the meeting was cancelled, and that councillors had not seen an updated price until Tuesday.

Mayor Andy Fillmore said he expected the price to keep climbing. He said he is exploring partnerships with the private sector or the Department of National Defence to build two ice sheets elsewhere on the peninsula more cheaply, which could remove the need for ice in the Forum project and lower its cost. He plans to bring details to council in December.

Several councillors questioned why a 10 per cent increase was enough to cancel the public meeting. John MacPherson, the city’s executive director of property, fleet and environment, said staff wanted direction because the Forum is a large project whose debate has long hinged on cost. Staff will report back in December with more cost details and alternatives, including some within the approved budget.

The project is opposed by the Halifax Hawks Minor Hockey Association, which wants the current Forum kept open until replacement ice is found or built.

This week Halifax’s auditor general also found that 96 city buildings have never been assessed. More stories are on our Halifax page.

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