The halls of council were lined with public voices Tuesday as a public hearing on the downtown arena project got underway.
About 130 people have signed up to speak to council and dozens have already addressed the chamber.
The first public presenter, Mimi Williams, said it would be wrong to spend money on a downtown arena while the city's infrastructure has been falling apart.
Williams asked council to spend some of the money earmarked for designing the arena on a plebiscite.
Former city mayor Cec Purves also addressed council and asked for everything to be put everything on the table.
"I've never come across such a mind-numbing deal as this," he said during the hearing.
Kevin Barry from the Chamber of Commerce said the arena was crucial to the city.
"It is likely that we will never again see the opportunity to make such a positive impact on the future success of the city's downtown core," he said during the hearing.
"Let's not squander it."
After they have heard from all the speakers council will vote on whether or not to accept he latest funding framework.
As it stands the Katz Group is expected to contribute $100 million while the City will contribute $125 million and another $125 million will come from a ticket tax. The City will also need to secure $100 million from the province for the project.
Council will also decide if they want to put out a call for tenders, which would cost $30 million.
If they go ahead, a design could be approved by spring.
With files from Laura Tupper
