McNeil says he's ready to talk stadium, but private money must be involved

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil is willing to talksupport for a stadium in Halifax, but hereiterated Mondaythata project of that scalewould require money from the group pushing the idea.

Halifax regional council is expected toreceive a proposal Tuesday from Maritime Football Ltd., the group trying to bring a CFL team to the city.

The proposal includes a plan for a24,000-seat stadium to be built in Shannon Park in Dartmouth at a cost of between $170 million and $190 million, and callsfor a variety of financial assistance tools from the city.

So far, there's been no direct ask of the province, but McNeil said he fullyexpects to receive a proposal from the ownership group.

'Another revenue source'

McNeilsaid he stands by his previous statements thatthe province's general revenue would not be used to help fund a stadium.

However, if a stadium could also be used for universityfootball games and "other economic activities,"McNeilsaid his government is willing to discuss other waysit can lend support.

"In essence,it would have to be another revenue source," he told CBCNews.

Private money must be there

The premier said any support from the province would come with theexpectation of private money behind the proposal.

"There's no project that's going to come forward that wouldn't have private money in it," he said.

"There's no way to build that kind of infrastructure without it."

McNeil added that he believes Maritime Football "hasdemonstrated the capacity to be able to bring together a team, a group that could manage and maintain aCFLteam."

More than two years ago, a major redevelopment plan for Shannon Park, aformer military community, was unveiled following extensive public consultation.

That plan called for residential and commercial development alongside green space and recreational opportunities as a means of community development, but did not include a stadium.

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