Excitement, and concerns, too, over Halifax Wanderers' $30-million proposal to transform Maybank Field

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaNewsNova ScotiaHalifax Excitement, and concerns, too, over Halifax Wanderers' $30-million proposal to transform Maybank Field 'They’re certainly amongst the worst in HRM,' says local soccer coach of current Maybank Field pitches Author of the article: By Josh Healey Published Sep 22, 2026 Last updated 2 minutes ago 4 minute read Jennifer Peddle, vice-president of the Atlantic Elite Football Club is seen at Field 1 at Maybank Field in Dartmouth on Monday. She says the Wanderers' proposal could create much needed community space, especially with a domed facility. PHOTO BY TIM KROCHAK /The Chronicle Herald Article content Jennifer Peddle, the vice-president of Atlantic Elite Football Club, which trains 150 flag football athletes, says there are not enough facilities in the Halifax region to allow for their growth and that of other sports like soccer and rugby.  Article content But she said the Halifax Wanderers’ $100-million proposal to use private money for public infrastructure, including a domed turf pitch and flag football-specific space at Maybank Field in Dartmouth, could create more opportunities for community sports.  Article content Article content Article content “For me and the club, it’s all about access,” Peddle told The Chronicle Herald.  Article content “I understand council has a need to do its due diligence because this is public land but I guess, from a community sports perspective, it’s hard not to be excited about $100 million in privately funded infrastructure that creates thousands (of hours) of additional field community capacity.”  Article content Wanderers president Derek Martin made his pitch to regional council last week and unveiled not only his plan for the Wanderers Grounds but also for the Maybank community sports fields in Dartmouth.  Article content Martin is proposing spending $30 million in private equity to transform Maybank into a community sports hub through a land-lease agreement that he estimates will generate 5,000 hours of community use. He also plans to use part of the facility as the Wanderers training grounds.  Article content A new dome could be home  Article content One of the most attractive parts of the Maybank proposal is the domed pitch.  Article content “This proposal is very interesting to us,” said Peddle, adding that her club currently goes to East and West…