Edmonton arena bleeding support on council

The city's new plan to overcomea $100 million shortfall is too much to swallow for two councillors and a growing number ofEdmontonians.

Ben Henderson and Tony Caterinahave supported the project until Thursday, but the new agreement changed everything, said Caterina.

"They seem to change their mind on what they've agreed to previously so very disappointing."

The old framework agreement hinged on the province contributing $100 million, but the province remains steadfast in its refusal to significantly boost funding for infrastructure projects such as the arena.

However, in the last budget the province bumped upEdmonton's share of an annual grant for such projects by $3 million.

City administrators recommended the city borrow againstthat moneyover the next 20 years,in effect raising $45 million towards the shortfall.

But Caterina calls the strategy riskybecuase the Muncipal Sustainability Initiative is only guaranteed for threeyears.

"We don't even know if the provincewill give us $3million next year,$1 million, zero we have no assurance on that so a huge risk."

He worries the city will ultimately be on the hook for the full amount.

Other councillorsworried the money wouldbe better spenton infrastructure crucial to the city's well-beingfrom improved drainage, transit service and potholes.