Wanderers Grounds

Wanderers Grounds is a sporting complex in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which was originally part of the Halifax Commons. The land was used in the 1880s by the Halifax Wanderers Amateur Athletic Club (WAAC) and was their home grounds for the sports of rugby and lawn bowling. Leased to the club in the 1800s, the club failed to pay its lease fees during the Second World War and the land's use reverted to the City of Halifax (Halifax Regional Municipality) who have maintained it since then. The Wanderers Grounds was also the home of the Halifax Pelham Canadians of the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball league 1977–2008. Babe Ruth made an appearance at the grounds in 1942 during a navy baseball game between Halifax and Toronto. He faced Halifax pitcher Awkie Titus but failed to hit a home run.[2]

Wanderers Grounds
The Kitchen[1]
Wanderers Grounds, 2018
LocationHalifax, Nova Scotia
Coordinates44.6444°N 63.5836°W / 44.6444; -63.5836
OwnerHalifax Regional Municipality
Capacity6,200
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Opened19th century
Renovated2018 (2018)
Tenants

The field house, built by the club in 1896, was destroyed by fire. It was replaced by the Navy League Dry Canteen, which was going to be rehabilitated[3] in the 21st century, but was considered too structurally unsound. The plan to build a clubhouse has been put on an indeterminate hiatus.

On August 31, 1957, Wanderers Grounds hosted Canada Soccer's first ever Challenge Trophy match played east of Montreal. The local side Halifax Shipyards lost 8–2 to the eventual national champions, Montreal Ukraina.

On June 20, 2017 Halifax city councillors unanimously approved the construction of a stadium at the Grounds, for a future Canadian Premier League professional soccer team.[4] In May 2018, that team was confirmed to be named HFX Wanderers FC, who began play in 2019.[5]

Sports usage
Rugby football match played on the historical Wanderers' Grounds

The field has been used for matches of soccer, cricket, matches of rugby football, baseball and track and field championships among other sports.

Rugby union
DateHomeScoreAwayCompetitionAttendance
12 October 1899United Services 0–10 Ireland1899 Ireland Tour-
14 October 1899Wanderers 3–16 Ireland1899 Ireland Tour-
16 October 1899Halifax 5–0 Ireland1899 Ireland Tour-
23 June 2018Canada 17–42 United States2018 June test6,200
20 October 2018Ontario Arrows 40–14 New England Free JacksMajor League Rugby-
Canadian Premier League action in June 2019
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References
  1. "Welcome to 'The Kitchen': Wanderers Grounds could be fortress for HFX Wanderers FC". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  2. Spurr, Bill. "Babe Ruth's excellent Nova Scotia adventures | The Chronicle Herald". www.thechronicleherald.ca.
  3. "Wanderer's Grounds Field House Rehabilitation Project" (PDF). Halifax Regional Municipality. Archived from the original (pdf) on March 10, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  4. "Soccer stadium, team touted for downtown Halifax". TSN. June 20, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  5. Shaw, Kyle. "HFX Wanderers unveiled as Canada's newest professional soccer club". The Coast Halifax. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
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