In Context: 5 Web Perspectives On A Story In The News

Oval sparks petitions from the public

(The Globe and Mail) Thousands of Haligonians have laced up their skates for the Canada Games Oval since it opened on Dec. 17. However, the HRM has plans to dismantle the oval for the reinstallation of fields after the Canada Games finish at the end of February. The issue remains divisive: a large majority of supporters want to make the oval a permanent fixture, while a small number of people want to preserve the Common. At this point the issue remains unresolved, but it appears the momentum is in the hands of the supporters. Mayor Peter Kelly and other HRM councillors have also expressed enthusiasm to keep the oval on the Halifax Common.

1.

Canada Games less than a month away

2011 Canada Games-Canada Games Oval
The Canada Games will be in Halifax from Feb. 11-27, 2011. This is the reason why the Canada Games Oval was installed. Halifax did not have a long-track speed skating rink so a temporary outdoor oval has been put in place. This site has a map showing where the oval is located on the Common. There are also links on the map that connect to the long-track speed skating schedule, a profile on the Canada Games Oval, and a sidebar of links for all the other venues. The rest of the site provides context for events and news about the Canada Games.

2.

Canada Games Oval can hold over 500 skaters

About skate at Canada Games Oval
This is HRM's official website about public skating on the Canada Games Oval. This website details some fun facts about the oval, such as size and proper temperature for ice conditions. It also provides a list of programs that are available while the oval is open to the public. There aren't many pictures, but there are plenty of links to other news stories and sites, which document the construction progress of the oval. There is also a bit of background on previous events that have occured on the Common. This site is a great introduction for anyone who is unfamiliar with the oval.

3.

Thousands sign online petition to keep oval

Save The Oval
This is a blog produced by Jeff White, an owner of a Halifax marketing company. It's the launch pad for an online petition to keep the oval as a permanent fixture on the Halifax Common. It's a good site to assess the amount of momentum of this movement. So far thousands of Haligonians have signed the virtual petition. This site provides links to pictures on flickr and a video that has been made in support of the oval. The other links on the site are outlets to the website's media coverage and support in the news.

4.

Few sign online pettion for preservation of the Common

Petition to Preserve the Commons - No to permanent skating oval
This is an online petition site by Haligonian Katie Campbell. This site is simple in nature, but it is the only online petition that is in favour of reinstalling the fields on the Common after the Canada Games. So far there are only 49 signatures on this site and no comments. However, it is important to include this in the list of websites since it's one, if not the only, forum against a permanent skating oval.

5.

Lobby group fights for the Common space

Friends of the Halifax Common - Initiatives
This is a blog for a lobby group called Friends of the Halifax Common. They are lobbying for the protection of the Halifax Common. Although it is not expressed in any posts on this site, they have been a voice in the news against the Canada Games Oval. After reading a few of the posts from the past year it is clear that they have a worthy analysis on the topic of Common space. In this case, it is about the use of the Common for concerts. This blog provides background of council meetings in their posts and critical questions for proposed legislations. This example proves that Friends of the Common is a credible lobby group that asks appropriate questions in Halifax Common issues.