Halifax already has an ice shortage. The Forum closure will make it worse, but the city says it's working on a plan

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaNewsNova ScotiaHalifax Halifax already has an ice shortage. The Forum closure will make it worse, but the city says it's working on a plan There's currently 1,210 weekly hours of ice time allocated to youth sport spread across 25 ice surfaces Author of the article: By Josh Healey Published Sep 21, 2026 Last updated 11 minutes ago 2 minute read Hockey players take part in a lunch hour game at the Halifax Forum on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. PHOTO BY RYAN TAPLIN /The Chronicle Herald Article content One chilly fact remains true throughout the debates surrounding the redevelopment of the Halifax Forum: the city doesn’t have enough ice surfaces to meet demands.  Article content It is one of the reasons Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore continues to seek a pause on a $126-million plan that’s spanned four separate councils.  Article content Article content “Earlier this month I met with the Halifax Hawks (Minor Hockey Association) after they reached out to my office with concerns that the planned closure of the Halifax Forum and Civic Arena will worsen the already serious ice shortage in HRM,” Fillmore said Thursday.  Article content Article content “I share their concern.”  Article content An artist’s rendering of one of the ice surfaces at the redeveloped Halifax Forum. Work is expected to begin in late 2027. ABCP + FBM Article content Part of the Hawks’ worries stem from the fact that, even with the Forum’s two ice surfaces, as a city spokesperson said, the Halifax Regional Municipality is already facing a shortage of roughly 100 prime-time hours per week.  Article content The question is: How will the city schedule everything from ringette to minor hockey given they’re already at capacity?  Article content An 8.5 per cent loss of all ice time in the city  Article content The city is working on a plan to address ice shortages during the Forum’s closure.  Article content Sarah Brannen, a spokesperson for HRM, confirmed the reality is that ice time is going to be reduced across the municipality to accommodate those displaced during the years the Forum is rebuilt.  Article content “The municipality is working with provincial sport organizations, as well as local clubs and groups, to develop a plan that minimizes the impact and to ensure that the losses are fair,” said Brannen. “No further details are available as this work…