Pam Berman

Halifax regional council narrowly voted in favour of redevelopment plans for the Halifax Forum on Tuesday.

 involves saving the facade of the 92-year-old heritage building.

The existing rink would be replaced with a new one that includes close to 3,000&nbsp;seats.

The Forum facility would connect to a concourse, a second arena and a multipurpose space.

Estimates for the cost range from $70 million to $86 million.

The Halifax Forum arena would be renovated to preserve its heritage aspects and would be able to seat 2,900 people.

Halifax Forum 3

Several councillors said the Forum was worth it.

"That is an iconic facade on the front of that building," said Steve Streatch, the councillor for Waverley-Fall River-Musquodoboit Valley. "I just cannot see me voting to tear that down."

"The community deserves this project," said Waye Mason, who represents Halifax South Downtown.

"It makes sense to invest in our own heritage buildings," said Sam Austin, the councillor for Dartmouth Centre.

Other councillors felt the cost was too expensive.

'We're getting too little in return,' says Coun. Zurawski

"Wow, this is steep," said Richard Zurawski, who represents Timberlea-Beechville-Clayton Park-Wedgewood. "I think it's too much and we're getting too little in return."

"I want a more creative solution for the site," said David Hendsbee, the councillor for Preston-Chezzetcook-Eastern Shore.

Halifax CAO&nbsp;Jacques Dubé told council the overall cost of the project will be offset by private investors who are interested in building housing, retail space and a parking garage on the property.

"There is real attraction from the private sector," he said. "I think there is a real opportunity there."

Council voted 7-6 in favour of the proposal.

Dubé said a request for proposals will go out, negotiations with interested developers will take place and detailed plans will come to council.

Eskasoni man, 67, gets bail after being charged with 25 sex offences

Joel Nathan Denny of Eskasoni, N.S., who faces 25 charges including sexual exploitation, sexual assault, sexual interference with a person under the age of 16 and invitation to sexual touching, was released on bail on Tuesday.

Joel Nathan Denny, 67, is shown being escorted into the Sydney Justice Centre on Nov. 25, 2019.

Joel Denny

Workers won't be laid off at CN's Autoport in Eastern Passage, says union

Unifor, the union representing workers at the Autoport facility in Eastern Passage, N.S., says CN Rail has rescinded layoff notices sent to 70 workers during an eight-day strike.

CN says there's typically a surge in spring vehicles sales and it will be shipping cars out to make it to market. 

Autoport2

Nearly 185,000 vehicles travel through the Autoport facility in Eastern Passage every year, says the Port of Halifax's website. 

Why education, not legislation, is the key to getting people vaccinated

A decorated Nova Scotia pediatrician who is a fierce advocate for vaccinations says Nova Scotia shouldn't follow New Brunswick's lead on making vaccinations mandatory.

Dr. Noni MacDonald received the Order of Nova Scotia on Tuesday. She's a well-known pediatrician who specializes in infectious diseases and teaches at Dalhousie University.

Dr. Noni MacDonald

'Misogynistic' marketing of Nine Locks' Dirty Blonde beer sparks debate

A group of 40 people representing 17 Nova Scotia breweries have sent a letter to the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia asking the board to take steps to stop the "egregious" advertising campaign associated with Nine Locks Brewing Co.'s Dirty Blonde beer.

Catherine Murray decided to speak out against the marketing practices of Nine Locks Brewing after receiving unwanted comments when she served the company's Dirty Blonde beer.

Catherine Murray portrait

On-street parking fee increases approved for Halifax, Dartmouth

The Halifax Regional Municipality plans to start removing meters in downtown Halifax and Dartmouth in the first few months of 2020 and replace them with pay machines as part of a plan to overhaul how on-street parking is provided in the city.

Halifax Regional Police headquarters (parking meter)

Parking meters, like these two outside Halifax Regional Police station, will eventually be replaced by a parking machine.

Halifax CAO Jacques Dubé told council the overall cost of the project will be offset by private investors who are interested in building housing, retail space and a parking garage on the property.

Halifax Forum redevelopment plans narrowly approved by council

'We're getting too little in return,' says Coun. Zurawski

Vote breakdown

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