An artist’s rendering of one of the ice surfaces at the redeveloped Halifax Forum. Work is expected to begin in late 2027. ABCP + FBMArticle contentThe Halifax Hawks Minor Hockey Association wants a timeout on the redevelopment of the Halifax Forum given the shortage of available ice across the city. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThey launched a petition this week to stop the current redevelopment plan and to advocate for a facility which can meet the community’s growing ice surface needs now and into the future. Article contentArticle content“Everybody loves the Forum, loves the concept and idea of the redevelopment, but it’s just not practical right now,” Tim Boyce, the technical director for the Halifax Hawks and a former Chronicle Herald employee, said Friday. Article contentArticle contentThe Forum, of course, is slated for demolition and a $126-million redevelopment plan because of a Halifax regional council decision going back to 2014. It currently has two heavily used ice surfaces — booked for 105 hours of minor sports every week, not including senior hockey — which wouldn’t be available for years. Article contentBoyce said there needs to be another option for users.Article content“We’re of the position that we should be building a four-pad or some sort of two-pad elsewhere before any closure of the Forum happens. That way, we plan a little more for future growth, and it’s less of a burden for future associations because everybody is going to feel the burden when this facility closes for three to four years,” he said. Article content“There are so many different user groups who rely on that facility right now.” Article contentBut the Forum has previously been described as one good storm away from closure, making the possibility of extending its life beyond the 2026-2027 season extremely doubtful.Article contentArticle contentThe Hawks’ petition had 540 signatures as of Friday, with Boyce adding that several organizations have noted their support. Article contentArticle contentForum déjà vu?Article contentIt’s not the first time the idea of pausing the Forum’s redevelopment has come up this year: Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore also suggested waiting things out while seeking cheaper alternatives, which included two- or three-pad arena sites on the peninsula. Article contentHowever, given the many twists and turns since it was first decided to redevelop the Forum 12 years ago, council opted to stay the course. Article content Paul Card, chair of the Halifax Forum Community Association, poses for a photo on February 17. The association pushed back on Mayor Andy Fillmore’s plan to pause the $126-million redevelopment and eventually explore lower-cost alternatives. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentAnd that course is nearing completion as Paul Card, the board chair for the Halifax Forum Community Association, told The Chronicle Herald that the final planning stage is wrapping up. Ground on the project is expected to be broken in late 2027 and completed in 2031. Article contentThe city is also in the midst of coming up with a plan to manage without the Forum’s two ice surfaces.
Local hockey association starts petition to pause redevelopment of Halifax Forum
