Council votes for staff report exploring CFL stadium in Halifax

HALIFAX Regional Council asked staff to take the necessary steps to build a football stadium in Halifax.

Unanimously, on Tuesday, council asked municipal staff to begin talks with Maritime Football Ltd. Government [traduction] "Exploring the Opportunities and Risks" Associated with a Canadian Football League Stadium and Franchise for the Municipality

The public vote comes about a month after Maritime Football Ltd., the group that pursues a CFL franchise for Halifax, did an in camera update and Mayor Mike Savage promised to hold future public talks. 59002] On this day, Dave Naylor of TSN reported that the group had reached an agreement with the CFL for a three-step process to secure the 10th league team, "with the details and conditions of the first leg" . ] TSN 's report indicates that the team hopes to join the league for the 2021 season.

Savage said at the time that the board had not heard any numbers and that' s not the same. there was no specific funding request from Maritime Football Ltd. advisors discussed possible funding arrangements.

Coun. Tim Outhit surveyed his residents on Facebook, describing a scenario where Halifax would waive property taxes for the group for 20 to 25 years, provide municipal services at one stage, and help fund tens of millions of dollars.

Tuesday, Outhit He is not sure that such an arrangement would be legal, as Halifax is not generally allowed to finance private companies.

Coun. Bill Karsten pointed out that they have not yet the details, and that it was the purpose of Tuesday's vote, to find out exactly what Maritime Football Ltd. is asking for.

Karsten is optimistic that the plan will work for the municipality, while Coun. Richard Zurawski said that he was "cautiously pessimistic".

Coun. Shawn Cleary said he was not hopeful the project would come to fruition, as Premier Stephen McNeil told reporters last week that the province would not fund a stadium out of general revenues [19659017]. His partner, Anthony Leblanc, is rebadured by the fact that the project is sufficiently supported to go forward

Leblanc has downplayed rumors that his group had reduced his search for a location to two websites; Dartmouth Crossing and Bayers Lake. He said that there were seven places to study

There is no time limit for the staff report request, but Leblanc told CBC that his group hopes his plans will be firmed up before Labor Day. [19659027] is a Halifax-based reporter who covers City Hall and the court. Follow him on Twitter: @zwoodford