Halifax Council Unanimously Votes to Reschedule Forum Community Meeting After Cost Overruns
Halifax Regional Council voted unanimously to reschedule a community meeting on the Halifax Forum demolition after the original session was abruptly cancelled due to project costs exceeding the approved $126 million budget by 10 to 12 per cent. Councillors and the mayor expressed frustration over being left uninformed about the cancellation.
Halifax Regional Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to reschedule a community meeting regarding the demolition of the Halifax Forum. The original meeting, which had been scheduled for Oct. 1, was cancelled by HRM staff on Sept. 25 after updated project costs were found to exceed the council-approved $126 million budget by 10 to 12 per cent.
John MacPherson from the major projects office stated that the new total cost estimate is between $140 million and $144 million, representing an extra $12 million to $14 million. However, the Halifax Hawks Minor Hockey Association posted an estimated new cost of $148 million, a figure that councillors and the mayor said they were not given.
The abrupt cancellation blindsided the Halifax Forum Community Association and drew sharp criticism from elected officials. Councillors Virginia Hinch, Sam Austin, and Kathryn Morse expressed concerns about being improperly briefed or left in the dark regarding the decision to pause the project and cancel the meeting. They cited a loss of community trust as a result of the hasty cancellation and lack of communication, emphasizing the need to proceed with heritage consultation processes regardless of final redevelopment decisions.
Mayor Andy Fillmore said he did not have the cost overrun estimate before Tuesday and had no input into cancelling the meeting. Fillmore noted he is developing an alternative plan involving running the current Forum for a few more years while building a cheaper facility elsewhere. He suggested potentially partnering with the Department of National Defence, the Mooseheads, or the PWHL, though he supported moving forward with public engagement.
A report providing third-party insight into the cost increases and project status is expected to be released by municipal staff in December. There are concerns that further cost increases could occur if the project is delayed until after the rescheduled meeting. Any redevelopment of the heritage property will require a legal process and public engagement. The rescheduled public meeting is expected to take place sometime in November.