Halifax has yet to announce the name of its new skating Oval on the Common but it appears it won't be named after any beer companies.
Molson Coors had expressed interest in securing naming rights to the Halifax Oval, but the city has rejected its offer of a $400,000 sponsorship.
"Certainly we have received lots of interest in having us be involved in other projects as well, as a result of the potential change of heart with the city, so one way or another we'll look to keep supporting people here in Halifax," says Brian Harriman of Molson Atlantic.
Council rejected the offer during an in-camera meeting on Tuesday, and the company confirmed the ruling after meeting with Mayor Peter Kelly on Thursday.
However, Kelly says council rules forbid him from providing any details on the discussion.
"I can't get into the detail of the council discussion,' says Kelly. "I can say that there was a very in-depth and lively discussion on the issue of sponsorship."
Lively enough that Molson's offer was rejected by one vote, and while Coun. Gloria McCluskey says she too must respect the council's confidentiality rules, she left little doubt as to how she voted.
""I'm very much against, because of the studies that have been done and because of the statistics showing that alcohol advertising has a big affect on when youth start drinking," she says.
But one local business owner and Save the Oval Association member says the decision to reject Molson's offer is a slap in the face.
"The sad thing is we worked so hard to bring them on board and they're such a very business community-focused organization that this is a way they could have given back to this community," says Joachim Stroink.
Stroink also says rejecting the Molson offer could set a dangerous precedent with far-reaching consequences.
"At the tree lighting on Parade Square coming up, that's the presenting sponsor is Oland's Brewery," says Stroink. "And then you have Alexander Keith's Natal Day celebrations."
Energy company Emera is said to be the next company in line with a sponsorship offer for naming rights to the Oval, but until another sponsor is found to replace Molson, there will be a big hole in the Oval budget.
The city says they expect an announcement to come next month, along with the opening of the Oval.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ron Shaw
