As the end of 2019 draws near, HalifaxToday.ca looks back on some of our most memorable stories of the year

Another year has passed and Halifax is still debating the possibility of a stadium.

Schooner Sports and Entertainment's plan for a 24,000 CFL facility in Shannon Park was made public in September.

It outlined five options for the portion of municipal funding, including an upfront cash payment of $15 million to $20 million.

Soon after, Councillor Sam Austin put a motion forward calling for municipal staff to drop their detailed analysis of the plan.

"I don't see any viable proposal coming out of this that would be fair for taxpayers, and I want out," he said.

The motion needed the support of at least two-thirds of council, and after about two hours of debate, it was defeated by a vote of 9 to 8.

In early December, staff recommended councillors approve $20 million for the project, but not if it's in Shannon Park.

"The site is severely encumbered by a CN rail line and the MacKay Bridge, and would require an extensive public transportation infrastructure investment," the staff report said.

On Dec. 10, council voted 10-7 in favour of the $20 million investment and alternate locations were suggested that included land in Woodside or in Dartmouth Crossing.

But even though the vote was a big step forward, some major hurdles remain. SSE will still need to secure funding from the province and other lenders or investors to reach the total $110-million budget.

“We’ve got a fair amount of work that needs to be done, but there is significant light at the end of the tunnel,” said SSE's founding partner Anthony LeBlanc.

Premier Stephen McNeil said the issue has not been on the "front burner" for his government, although it is willing to consider ways it might be able to help.