And I quote from the HRM Website:
“There is an impression that the Common cannot be used for commercial use. That is not the case. The Common has a history of pay for commercial events including horse racing, sporting events, concerts, circuses and fairs. To clarify this ambiguity, the Halifax City Charter was changed in 1992 and, in 1994, a Commons Policy was adopted which clearly allowed for commercial and special events as long as they were approved by council and met the goals, objectives and policies of the 1994 Halifax Common Plan.”
So to everyone complaining about the Commons being used for concerts, zip it!!
—Sick of it all
This article appears in Jul 16-22, 2009.
Amen!I truly believe that Kraft should open a huge cheese factory here to go with all the WHINE!!
Agreed.
oh that was good!
Bring on the concerts!
Here! Here!
Fucking.Thank.You.
Fantastic. This makes my day.
That doesn’t really end any argument, I’m afraid. I haven’t seen too many people complaining that these activities are illegal, etc. They’re complaining because they don’t like the activities being held on the Commons i.e. they want the policies changed.
Anyway, I hope KISS goes over as well as Sir Paul did. Enjoy, guys. 🙂
Unfortunately for these few naysayers Resident Weevil, there is an obvious history of the Commons being used for commercial events, and now that these events are proving to be successful and popular, I cannot foresee policies being changed anytime soon. I am the OP of this bitch, and I wrote this to disprove some of the few idiots on here that the city IS allowed to use the Commons for concerts. I certainly will entertain arguments as whether the space is a suitable venue based on valid issues such as proximity to residences, but I was getting tired of the wankers on here crying about the concerts taking away their precious public green space for 2 whole weeks.
I see where you’re coming from, BRoc. Personally, my only beef with any of it is the damage the concerts may cause to the grounds, which would really suck if it happened to wipe out a ball field that some folks were planning to use. However, there are ways to minimize the risks, and if the venue works for these concerts, why not use it?
I think that if the City will allow a band or festival to use the Commons, it should be free entry. It is extremely hypocritical to stop people from being able to use the land, then underwriting the show, so that only people who can afford to pay these ridiculous fees will attend. As if KISS couldn’t draw enough people without some subsidization…
Can anyone confirm that the HRM money to the concerts come from tax payers? I thought HRM had a hotel tax levy that funds the large concerts.
I want to organise a day where 20 000 people head out to the commons just to hang out and play frisbee and such. Then we can wreck the commons, and no one can blame it on something outside of it simply being used for it’s intended public green space purpose. But guess what, no one will come in and pay to have it fixed. So suddenly having a concert there will seem like a better idea.
Broc: I’m not sure one can say that these events can be described as “successful and popular”. They’ve yet to sell one out… Though they did better than Virgin did on Citadel Hill, that’s for sure.
Justme, I have to confess I rely a bit on mass media, which I only skim due to the glut of violent crimes and crap about Lilo reported more and more in the news. There may have been a more factual account but I seem to remember that some of these concerts were given some kind of tax haven or some financial benefit.
the ‘Halifax Common argument’ has NOT ended.
join the discusson here:
http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/concerts-ro…
I was at the show last night. Unbelievable!! Even at their age, KISS still puts on the biggest and best show in the business.
I kind of like having shows on the Commons if only because I’ve gotten to see 2 big name acts in the last 2 weeks for exactly $0. I think that is why these shows will never sell out, as long as people can save themselves $100+ (and a lot of bother) by standing on the sidelines. I think though that everyone has that one artist who they would gladly pay whatever to get a bit closer to….mine hasn’t come yet….but you never know 😛
sorry Mole Rat but I dont think NYSNC tours anymore.
Free or if you paid to get in, Kiss was awesome.
It didn’t sell out, but there was shitload of people in the venue. Unfortunately, there’s been no release of even the approximate number yet. What impressed me, besides the show, was the ease of exiting the venue. We were right next to the mixing tower, and exited through the very back. We parked our car on Willow St and were there within a half an hour. I’ve been to 2 concerts at Magnetic Hill and both times it took me 45 mins to an hour just to exit the place.
They don’t???