Visitors to the Halifax waterfront will have a new outdoor venue to enjoy this spring.

Following a competition between Nova Scotia businesses, a company has been chosen to operate at Summit Amphitheatre.

Well-known Halifax business Stubborn Goat Gastropub will operate an outdoor food and beverage venue focusing on Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canadian beer and wine, a locally inspired menu including weekend brunch, live entertainment and patio.

The three-year seasonal licence will run until 2018. The venue, to be named, is expected to open daily from mid-May until October.

In 2015, downtown Halifax business Stillwell brought an idea to the Waterfront Development Corporation and ran a successful pilot beer garden at the site for one season after submitting an unsolicited proposal. Waterfront Development partnered with Stillwell to test the idea. It was announced at that time that any longer term use of the site for that purpose would be made available through a public request for proposals. The opportunity went to market in November.

“It speaks to the draw of the Halifax waterfront as an attractive platform for business,” said Jennifer Angel, acting CEO, Waterfront Development Corporation. “The proposals we received were high quality and the decision was very difficult.

“With this calibre of interest from local entrepreneurs, our minds have turned to how we develop more opportunities for such businesses to locate on the waterfront and create great experiences for residents and visitors.”

The corporation is now working on a plan for a new area on the waterfront for small businesses. More than 2.3 million people visited the waterfront last year.

“We believe in what Nova Scotia has to offer and feel confident in our passion for, and ability to, showcase quality local products,” said Geir Simensen, co-owner of Stubborn Goat Gastropub. “The area will be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

“This is a coveted location on our beautiful waterfront and we plan to treat it with the respect it deserves.”

The request for proposals review committee included Waterfront Development staff and a fairness monitor from Procurement Nova Scotia.

The request highlighted the importance of generating economic activity, a focus on sustainability, and a financial return to the corporation for reinvestment into the development and operations of activities and public infrastructure.

The new destination will complement a mix of seasonal and year-round tenants on the waterfront that include food and beverages, tours, shopping and an exciting lineup of the region’s best events.

Waterfront Development is a provincial Crown corporation developing the strategic potential of waterfronts in Bedford, Dartmouth, Halifax and Lunenburg. For more information go to www.my-waterfront.ca .

Source: Release