Halifax Wanderers Propose $100-Million Downtown Stadium to HRM Council
The Halifax Wanderers presented a plan to the Halifax Regional Municipality council on Sept. 15 for a 10,500-seat downtown soccer stadium. The Canadian Premier League club offered to fund the $100-million project in exchange for a 99-year lease and revenue rights, with an ATN Strategies study projecting significant economic benefits including 516 construction jobs and $25.1 million in annual economic output.
On Sept. 15, the Halifax Wanderers presented a proposal to the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) council for a new 10,500-seat downtown soccer stadium. The Canadian Premier League club offered to cover the entire $100-million cost of the project in exchange for a 99-year lease and revenue rights.
The proposed facility is intended to replace the makeshift structure at the Wanderers Grounds that has been in place since 2019. The original capacity at the grounds was 6,200, which has since increased to 7,500. The site currently serves as home to both the Wanderers and the Halifax Tides of the Northern Super League, who have played their home games there since their inception in 2024. Derek Martin is the founder and managing partner of the Halifax Wanderers.
A study conducted by ATN Strategies details the potential economic impact of the proposed stadium. Construction is projected to inject $75 million into the local building sector, with an additional $39.7 million expected through indirect and induced activities during the building period. The construction phase is estimated to generate $6.3 million in provincial tax revenue and $6.7 million for the federal government. It would also create 516 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs, translating to $35.5 million in labour income for local workers.
Once completed, long-term stadium operations are projected to produce 48 new FTE jobs, $4.8 million from stadium output, and $350,000 in provincial taxes annually. Fan spending at nearby businesses is projected to increase by $1.3 million per year, adding $970,000 to the provincial GDP and creating 23 FTE jobs. The report estimates a total annual economic output of $25.1 million if the project is completed as planned. For context, the Wanderers generated a total of $83.3 million between 2019 and 2025.
The new stadium proposal includes replacing the grass field with an all-weather surface to allow 4,000 hours of community use each year. The permanent facility could host as many as 50 non-sports events per year and is suitable for concerts with a capacity as high as 18,000. The broader project also includes the construction of a parking garage and improvements to Maybank Field in Dartmouth for a training hub.