Halifax Transit shuttles on for Battle for New Scotland rugby game
There's now a detailed plan to shuttle people to an international rugby game in Halifax that's dealing with a sudden change in venue after its original location was deemed unsafe.
Team Canada is set to play the Glasgow Warriors on Saturday. The game was to take place on the Wanderers Grounds in central Halifax, but was moved to Graves Oakley Field in Spryfield due to unsafe ground conditions.
"This week was the first opportunity the players and their coaches had to view the field, and the decision on its condition was theirs," said Jennifer Stairs, a spokeswoman for the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Sports Entertainment Atlantic and Rugby Nova Scotia say Halifax Transit buses will shuttle attendees from several locations.
The cost is being covered by Sports Entertainment Atlantic, Stairs said.
Buses will load between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Trollope Street near Citadal High School and will depart as they're filled. Rugby Nova Scotia is encouraging fans to get an early start.
The service is free for ticket holders but because the shuttle service is an unplanned expense, volunteers will be on hand to collect $5 donations.
If you're driving, you can park at the South Centre Mall in Spryfield. Two Halifax Transit buses — marked "Rugby" — will be available to shuttle people back and forth from the game, leaving from the bus stop on Dentith Street.
The parking lot at Graves Oakley Field will be used for event staff, emergency vehicles and accessible parking only, but a section of Leiblin Drive will be closed for everyone else to park at the side of the road.
Police will be assisting with traffic control.
Finally, if you're being dropped off, organizers are asking those attendees to have pre-arranged plans to avoid congestion.
Derek Martin, of Sports Entertainment Atlantic, says they're "still fine tuning" the number of attendees. He says around 4,000 people are expected.
"It does feel that the rugby community has stepped up to support the event and everyone is just excited," he said. "I think they're going to be really happy when they get here and see what we were able to build in 36 hours."
The match starts at 3 p.m.
