One very well-used, structurally sound hockey arena, which was originally used as an airplane hangar in the 1940s, is now on the block in North Sydney.
Instead of acquiring the North Sydney Community Forum immediately for demolition, CBRM council decided Tuesday to see whether there is any interest from anyone anywhere to buy the property.
Dist. 2 Coun. Charlie Keagan, who represents North Sydney on regional council, said there are “two and a potential two more interested parties” in purchasing the large property that overlooks the Marine Atlantic ferry terminal.
The forum has been inactive since its closure in 2011 following the completion of the Emera Centre Northside rink on King Street in North Sydney.
Earlier this month council voted 6-4 in favour of acquiring the forum from the non-profit North Sydney Community Forum Society.
Residents in the neighbourhood have expressed to Keagan the building is a fire hazard. It’s already been set on fire once, and grass fires have been lit in the vicinity of the arena in the past.
Pursuing an interested buyer was the recommendation of CBRM acting chief administrative officer Marie Walsh when it was presented to the general committee Sept. 10.
She told council Tuesday it could advertise an expression of interest to purchase the building. If there are no takers, council could revert to its original motion to tear the structure down, she said.
She said the society would decide which proposal makes the most sense.
“If there was a reuse of the building that would be judged by the (society). They have the interests of the community at heart so they could decide which proposal they like.
“It would not necessarily be the one that’s most financially advantageous.”
Walsh said that’s her preferred option because it keeps the CBRM from having to spend money to demolish the arena.
Estimates of tearing down the building, which was home to hockey tournaments, concerts and sporting events for 65 years, range from $165,000 to $195,000, according to an evaluation by engineering firm CBCL Ltd. of Sydney.
With no money set aside for the demolition, the CBRM would have to take ownership of the property from the society in order to secure a bank loan.
Four councillors voted against the demolition proposal at the Sept. 10 meeting because the CBRM doesn’t own the forum. The fact there are other derelict buildings that equally pose a fire hazard was another reason cited by councillors against the plan.
