Release:

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 (Halifax, N.S). – For nearly a century, the Halifax Forum has been a landmark where residents learned to skate, gathered for community events, and created memories that last generations. But it is nearing the end of its practical life as a modern recreation facility – falling short of our region’s accessibility, sustainability, and capacity needs.

“The Halifax Forum is part of our shared heritage,” says Mayor Fillmore. “But honouring our past also means making responsible choices for the future – especially when households are feeling the pinch of rising costs across the board.”

Originally approved in 2014, the Forum’s redevelopment was estimated at $38 million and scheduled for completion in 2019. The project now carries a price tag of $126 million, an increase of more than 230%, with construction still not underway.

Mayor Fillmore notes this escalation stands in stark contrast to a missed opportunity in 2014, when partnering with CFB Halifax would have delivered a new 4-pad arena at Windsor Park for just $15.8 million – while generating up to $30 million in land value.

“Previous Councils made decisions based on the financial realities of the time,” continues Mayor Fillmore. “But the world has changed. Costs have risen. Families are stretched. We need to responsibly revisit big-ticket projects and make sure they still make sense today.”

As part of that reassessment, the Mayor has put forward a motion requesting more information on deferring the Halifax Forum redevelopment for the next year. The motion was passed by the Budget Committee, and discussions on the Forum’s future will continue during the 2026/27 municipal budget process.

The Mayor also intends to bring forward a motion asking municipal staff to explore alternative Peninsula locations for a modern, lower-cost two- or three-pad ice facility that better aligns with current accessibility, sustainability, and capacity needs.

“This is not about walking away from the Forum’s legacy,” concluded Mayor Fillmore. “It’s about ensuring the next generation has access to modern, affordable, sustainable recreation – and we need to start that work now.”

Background:

• In an April 2014 report, municipal staff recommended negotiating an agreement with Canadian Forces Base Halifax and constructing a 4-pad arena at Windsor Park to replace four older facilities, including the Halifax Forum. The staff-recommended partnership had a net capital cost of $15.8 million and would have been completed by 2017.
  • Staff also recommended declaring the Halifax Forum as surplus to recreation needs and commence master planning of the property. 
  • Staff reported that “consolidation of aging arenas into multi-pad arenas is supported as a fiscally responsible decision” and that “redevelopment of the [Forum] land could result in an estimated value ranging from $18 to $30 million.”
• In July 2014, Regional Council instead directed staff to commence planning for the renovation of the Halifax Forum. The Halifax Forum Community Association proposal at the time was estimated at $38 million.
• In a June 2017 report reviewing indoor ice services, municipal staff said “the Halifax Forum…will be a challenging project” and that the “[Halifax Forum Community Association] business case is dependent on bingo revenues.” 
• In an August 2018 report, municipal staff estimated the cost to redevelop the Halifax Forum has increased by 59% (or $22 million) and would now cost $60 million. Staff also reported that “the renovation…would still likely result in a building complex with functionality issues.”
• In a November 2019 report, municipal staff reported that it is “…not feasible to fully restore the Halifax Forum building,” and that “a third ice surface cannot be readily accommodated.”
• In a 2021 report, municipal staff estimated the cost to redevelop the Halifax Forum has increased by an additional 33.9% (or $20.5 million) and would now cost $81 million. This would only be possible by disposing of the north portion of the site (corner of Young and Windsor streets) and reducing the number of parking spots from 500 spaces to 150 spaces.
• In a May 2023 report, municipal staff estimated the cost to redevelop the Halifax Forum has increased by an additional 35.8% (or $29 million) and would now cost $110 million. They also reported that “The Halifax Forum complex in its entirety is in a deteriorated condition and does not meet current accessibility standards or modern operational requirements.”
• In the 2026/27 Capital Budget, the estimated cost to redevelop the Halifax Forum increased by an additional 14.5% (or $16 million) and would now cost $126 million.