Halifax regional council seeks answers on Wanderers’ $100m plan to invest in permanent stadium, Dartmouth sports hub

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaBusinessNewsNova ScotiaHalifaxHalifax Business Halifax regional council seeks answers on Wanderers’ $100m plan to invest in permanent stadium, Dartmouth sports hub 'My concern is the timeline,' says Coun. Sam Austin Author of the article: By Josh Healey Published Sep 15, 2026 Last updated 3 hours ago 5 minute read A view of the Wanderers Grounds, the Bengal Lancers facility and the Wanderers Lawn Bowling Club In Halifax in August 2025. PHOTO BY TIM KROCHAK /The Chronicle Herald Article content Halifax regional council has asked for a staff report to answer the many questions surrounding the Halifax Wanderers Football Club’s $100-million pitch to pay for and operate two sites — including a permanent stadium — in the Halifax Regional Municipality.  Article content Council voted 15 to 1 in favour of the motion asking for a staff report, with only deputy mayor Patty Cuttell voting against it, despite concerns from other councillors.  Article content Article content Article content Derek Martin, president of the Wanderers, told The Chronicle Herald before the council meeting that the club had new investors that made it possible to pay for his vision for a 10,500-seat modular stadium at the Wanderers Grounds.  Article content He also pitched his plans for a community sports hub at Maybank Field in Dartmouth, which could double as the Wanderers’ training facility, to be paid for by the club.  Article content But the complicated nature of his vision — including negotiations with the province for the parking lot adjacent to the Museum of Natural History, a new 650-vehicle parking garage and consultations with other Wanderers Block tenants like the Halifax Lancers and Wanderers Lawn Bowling Club — led to many questions from councillors.  Article content ‘A gift of $100 million’  Article content Make no mistake: despite the overwhelming majority of council voting in favour of furthering Martin’s pitch, many councillors shared that they’d need more information before supporting the project outright.  Article content Article content Some — like Coun. Trish Purdy (Cole Harbour – Preston – Westphal – Cherry Brook) and Coun. Tony Mancini (Dartmouth East – Burnside) — were openly supportive, calling the proposal a great opportunity the city shouldn’t squander. Article content Read More Cabot unveils new Wilds golf course…