Wanderers propose new $100M stadium in downtown Halifax

Halifax Wanderers FC founder and managing partner, Derek Martin, presented a proposal to city council on Sept. 15 to build a new stadium and training facility.

The proposal outlines replacing the current stadium, the Wanderers Grounds, with a permanent one by 2028 and constructing a training facility in Dartmouth by 2027. 

The proposal projects a total capital investment of $100 million funded by the Wanderers owners, who are asking the city for a 99-year lease of the land they plan to build on. 

The current stadium hosts the Wanderers and the Tides, while the surrounding land is home to the Halifax Lancers and the Wanderers Lawn Bowling Club. The Lancers would receive more space to hold their horses and a new bowling green and clubhouse would be built for the bowling club. 

According to Cassidy Lawrence, the president of the Dalhousie Sports Business Society, the stadium’s proposal is an important investment in Halifax’s sporting future.

“Sports is already a major topic of conversation here,” says Lawrence. “Having a permanent stadium feels like a real statement that professional sports in Halifax aren’t temporary and that they’re here to stay.”

Martin is optimistic about the process. The overarching plan is to privately fund the construction of a new stadium which will modernize the existing grounds, and allow for the potential to host more than 50 large-scale events.

“We have taken it upon ourselves to come up with the solution,” said Martin in the city hall meeting. 

Although the Wanderers plan to fund the construction of the stadium, they are still asking the city to fund the water and electricity work. The current Wanderers Grounds function without the use of running water and electricity, causing fans to use portable toilets and to eat from food trucks.

“We do our best through our broadcast partners, through both the Wanderers and the Tides, to play around with lenses to make it look better on TV, but it’s not sufficient,” said Martin in the city hall meeting.

According to Moshe Lander, a senior lecturer of economics at Concordia University and assistant professor in the department of economics at Dalhousie University, this deal could benefit those involved. Despite this, there is still some pushback from people who disagree with the commercial use of the space.

“Remember, the city still owns the land. All they’re doing is leasing it to somebody who wants to make use of the land and pay for its use. So, in theory, there’s nothing wrong with this,” says Lander.

Laura White, District 7 councillor for Halifax South downtown, is concerned about the noise from the potential 50-plus large-scale events a year. She said she knows the amplified noise from the games is already bothersome to the Public Gardens and nearby residents. 

“It’s not the sound of the crowd. Everybody loves that. It’s that amplified sound…that’s a whole new ball game,” says White.

The proposal includes a parking garage beneath the stadium for the QEII Hospital. Martin said the club has explored different ways to incorporate the garage into the stadium, such as living walls, public art or carrying the stadium’s design into the garage.

This idea has not been received with total support.

“It’s just not necessary for the stadium,” says White. “You don’t need parking for the stadium. This is all about the hospital, and I don’t like the idea of parking going on the commons. We’ve already got a garage there.”

Demetrius Ferguson, a Wanderers supporter, says Halifax needs the new stadium.

“It’s something the youth needs, and [soccer] in Canada is growing,” says Ferguson.