Major renovations for the Halifax Forum are inching forward in what’s been a long and drawn out process.
Council voted 14-2 to go ahead with a $110-million renovation at the facility. The work would include two new ice surfaces, and a modern community centre while the iconic brick look would remain.
The price tag for the work ballooned by $30 million over the years due to increased costs. Despite the increases, staff will now go ahead with coming up with design work.
The city has been mulling over rennos at the north end building since 2014. The forum has two rinks, and is home to bingo and the popular Christmas market. It’s hosted wrestling events, concerts and NHL old timers games as well.
North-end councillor Lindell Smith says it serves many functions in the community.
“Thinking of the forum as just a rink or just a community centre or just a bingo hall is the wrong way to think of it,” said Smith. “This space has so many functions and operates as we know, as a multi-use facility…I know the number is a little scary.”
However, Mayor Mike Savage expressed concerns delaying the project could make it even more expensive in the future.
“I think we have to bite the bullet on this and get something done,” Savage said.
It was built in 1927 on the site of the former exhibition grounds which was badly damaged by the Halifax explosion in 1917.
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