Mainland Common Master Plan

Original activities planned for Mainland Common

In the late 1980s, the area known as the Mainland Common was purchased by the former City of Halifax. Following the purchase but prior to amalgamation, the City of Halifax undertook a visioning project to compile a report on possible uses for the land. The purpose of the tabled report was to:

• Serve the active and passive recreational needs as well as the tourism, cultural and

  community needs of the City and region;

• Take best advantage of the natural site opportunities
• Emphasize flexibility and multiple use of facilities wherever possible
• Present cost effective use and maintenance
• Assess the opportunity of private participation in the development and operation of

  the site or portions thereof.

Report Highlights

Phases: Phase I (1-10 years)

Phase II (10-30 years)

Phase III (30-50 years)

• Trails: Hiking/Walking/Running Trails, Cross Country skiing (lighted and groomed if user pay) - Phase I - $77,700 - City paid
• Lighted Fields: Synthetic Multi-Purpose Field with 8 lane track with 1,000 to 2,000 permanent seats (perhaps located atop an indoor soccer facility); Youth Soccer Field; several baseball & slo-pitch fields - Phase I - $4,102,500 - City paid
• Mini Stadium complex: Indoor soccer (privately developed); Change rooms; Washrooms; Office; Storage; Concessions; - Phase I - $850,000 - Private/Association/other levels of government
• Large Lawn Areas: for Free Play - Phase I - $30,000 -City paid
• Playgrounds: Near Fields; Near Picnic Areas; Other Areas - Phases I and II - $250,000 (two playgrounds) - City paid
• Lawn Bowling: Playing Green, Club House - Phase II - $120,000 - City paid
• Skateboard Ramps: Indoor/Outdoor Facility (Private) - Phase II - $200,000 - City paid
• Tennis Courts: Six Outdoor Courts, the possibility of a national tournament - Phase II - $690,000 - City paid
• Community Garden : 1-30 plots. This would provide apartment-dwellers with gardening opportunities - Phase II - $90,000 - City paid
• Interpretive Centre: A support facility for the development of gardens and nature trails within the Common - Phase II - $412,500 - City paid
• Hostelling Residence: For Visiting Athletes and Artists - Phase II - $500,000 - O
• Maintenance Facility: Compound for Outdoor Storage, Vehicles and Equipment; Indoor Storage and Office Space - Phase II - $300,000 - City paid
• Picnic Areas: 3 or 4 areas; 1 of which would be a large group area with a shelter - Phase III - $158,500 - City paid
• Water Features: Fountains; Ponds; Water Play Area; Waterfalls - Phase III - $625,000 - City paid
• Equestrian Facilities: Requires participation of private interests; (Bengal Lancers with possibility of combining with a Mainland Mounted Police Division); Stable with 30 to 40 stalls; indoor paddock with seats; tack room; feed room; wash stalls; meeting rooms; outdoor paddock; turnout areas; specially designated trails for horse use only - Phase III - $1,846,200 - Private/Association/other levels of government
• Toboggan Run: MC provides a location with appropriate grades for the design of a toboggan run and an appropriate location for use by local and city-wide residents - Phase III - $50,000 - City paid
• Botanical Garden: Integrated within the Natural Areas. These are a major focus of activity for local garden groups, residents and visiting tourists - Phase III - $570,000 (cost of arboretum included) - City paid
• Arboretum: Integrated within Natural Areas. This will be dedicated to the planting, cultivation, and interpretation of trees - Phase III - $570,000 (cost of botanical garden included) - City paid
• Conservatory: In conjunction with Botanical Gardens, etc. This would be dedicated to the propagation and interpretation of special plant species - Phase III - $3,937,000 - Private/Association/other levels of government
• Production Greenhouses: With Conservatory if feasible - Phase III - $600,000 - City paid
• Other gardens: Water garden; Scent and Herb Garden ; Indigenous Garden - Phase III - $800,000 - City paid
• Natural Amphitheatre: 1,200 - 1,500 seats, plus temporary seating for a total of 2,000. This would be a means of supporting cultural activities and meeting the needs of local performing arts groups - Phase III - $968,000 - City paid
• Look-Off Tower : Would afford partial panoramas of the Bedford Basin and the Narrows ; would need to be at least 20 m tall - Phase III - $200,000 - City paid
• Public Art Park: To be integrated with other cultural components; To include Areas for both selling and displaying art - Phase III - $400,000 - City paid
• Artificial Ski-Slope: Requires participation of Private interest and further investigation. To complement local ski hills, and encourage the sport, it is felt an artificial ski-slope within the Common would be an asset - Phase III - $300,000 - Private/Association/other levels of government
• Archery Facility: Requires the participation of private interest. The sport of archery is in need of facilities and the Common gives the opportunity to provide well-designed facilities in a natural setting - Phase III - $40,000 - City paid
• Tea Room: By concession. When set amidst the gardens, a tea room would provide an elegant and tranquil atmosphere - Phase III - $1,500,000 - Private/Association/other levels of government
• Office for Sport Nova Scotia: 12,000-15,000 sq ft; Could be part of Major Stadium Complex or stand alone facility - Phase III - $1,650,000 - Private/Association/other levels of government
• Dance and Gymnastic Space: Requires participation of Other Organizations, could be part of another facility - Phase III - $2,115,000 - Private/Association/other levels of government
• Cultural Facility: Theatre (500 seats); Art Gallery ; Bar/Lounge; Offices; Other Support Spaces - Phase III - $3,400,000 - Private/Association/other levels of government
• Horseshoes: Four Pits or More - Phase III - $11,000 - City paid
• Artificial Rock Face: Indoor Practice Wall - Phase III - $10,000 - City paid
• Bermed Areas for BMX Peddle Bikes - Phase III - $50,000 - City paid
• Major Stadium Complex or Sports Centre: To be constructed in conjunction with international games. Would have stadium seating, 10,000 permanent seats along with 15,000 temporary seats; Multi-purpose Field House; Multi-purpose Gymnasium; Aerobics, Exercise Area, Weight Room; Bar/Lounge Area; 2 Tennis Courts (indoor); 2 Racquetball Courts (indoor); Competitive Pool 200'x 300', Practice and Diving Pools, indoor viewing area, 2,300 seats; Ice Arena 100'x 200' - 2,000 seats - Phasing unknown - would be City paid
• Restaurants/ Pro Shops: Requires Participation of Private interests - Phasing unknown