Canada Lands is encouraging stakeholders to take part in mandated public consultation on a proposal to purchase land in Shannon Park to build a community stadium.
The group behind the proposal, Schooners Sports and Entertainment, has stated it’s working on a business case for the stadium and a CFL expansion team that it will submit to the Halifax Regional Municipality.
The proposal posits a $130-million stadium with 12,000 permanent seats and a capability of adding 12,000 more temporary seats.
Shannon Park is former Department of National Defence property located in north Dartmouth and fronting Halifax harbour.
Canada Lands is a federal Crown corporation that manages surplus military properties. The public consultation is one of several conditions that must be met before the sale can be considered, according to a Letter of Intent that Canada Lands signed with Schooner Sports in 2018.
“To date the conditions outlined in the Letter of Intent have not been fully satisfied,” Canada Lands said in an email forwarded to the Chronicle Herald. “As required by Canada Lands, SSE and HRM will be conducting public engagement. The nature and timing of that public engagement is the responsibility of SSE. We encourage you to participate in this process to make your views about a community stadium known. Canada Lands Company will continue to keep you informed as the process moves forward.”
The other conditions stipulate that “HRM and the Province indicate to Canada Lands Company their support for the community stadium in the interest of municipal and broader regional community benefit; Canada Lands Company and SSE coordinate efforts with the Millbrook First Nation and their neighbouring development plans; and HRM approve a revised concept plan — one which includes the development principles supported by the community during Canada Lands Company’s initial consultation process.”
