In Halifax, discussions are underway about building a permanent stadium at Wanderers Grounds, the site where the Canadian Premier League team Halifax Wanderers has played its matches since 2019.

Several project options prepared

The current facility is temporary: there is no running water, restrooms are portable, and all meals are served from food trucks or hot dog stands. Previously, the women’s team Halifax Tides also played their matches at this location. Keara Turner, director of the Privateers 1882 supporters’ club, points out that a stadium in the city center could significantly improve residents’ comfort and the downtown area’s appeal. Privateers 1882 is a supporters’ group whose name references the Wanderers Amateur Athletics Club, founded in 1882, which originally used the current Wanderers Grounds.

The city of Halifax has prepared several stadium options, varying in size and in changes to existing facilities, such as the lawn bowling greens and the Halifax Lancers clubhouse. The estimated cost of the project ranges from CAD 116 million to CAD 123 million, with construction expected to begin in 2029. The stadium would feature artificial turf, allowing for broader community use and the hosting of cultural events, including concerts.

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The project sparks mixed feelings

Derek Martin, president of the Wanderers, emphasizes the importance of the location: Part of our success comes from having secured the best spot. If we had to move, we could manage, but it would be a shame if this space once again became an unused, valuable plot in the heart of the city. Currently, the team regularly attracts over 6,000 spectators per match, and maintaining the field to professional standards limits the number of training sessions and games that can be held there.

However, the project also has critics. Howard Epstein of Friends of the Halifax Common believes the area should remain publicly accessible: It’s a deception of the residents because it takes away public space and privatizes it, which is not a good idea. Epstein also points to alternative locations on the Halifax Peninsula, such as the former St. Pat’s High School site or Pierceys Building Supplies. Experts, such as Moshe Lander from Concordia University in Montreal, note that the economic benefits of stadiums are often overestimated. “If residents’ incomes don’t change, we are simply deciding where they spend their money,” Lander explains.

Turner and Martin, however, emphasize the socio-cultural value: a downtown stadium would make events more accessible to residents, support local dining and tourism, and create a space for social gatherings and community integration. At the end of the day, it’s not about money; it’s about how we want our city to look and what the city and taxpayers truly want to achieve, Martin concludes.

© HFX Wanderers