After nearly six hours of debate, Thunder Bay city councillors agreed early Friday morning to proceed to the design and build stage for the proposed event centre.

The final vote was 8-5.

With that, council extended its agreement with a consortium of developers until the end of April. Then, final designs for the building would get completed and construction could commence, if the provincial and federal governments come through with funding.

Thunder Bay Coun. Rebecca Johnson said the event centre places too big a burden on taxpayers. (Supplied) Council hopes the province will announce $36 million for the project, and that Ottawa will allow the city to use just over $20 million in federal gas tax revenue over 10 years.

Nonetheless, Coun. Rebecca Johnson said the $114.7 million price tag is just to high.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our credit has maxed out. How do you continue to keep getting more and more money from our local taxpayer?" she asked.

Those who oppose the centre say the city could spend its contribution – between 42 and 55 million dollars – on more important projects.

Supporters, meanwhile, tout the anticipated provincial funding and the ability to attract bigger events to the city.

Councillors Johnson, Frank Pullia, Larry Hebert, Linda Rydholm, and Shelby Ch'ng voted against the project last night.

Event centre could bring Tournament of Hearts to Thunder Bay

If the province comes to the table, its share would pay for the convention centre, noted Coun. Trevor Giertuga.

"I think I've heard everyone say they agree we need a new arena. We heard tonight it's $80 million for a standalone arena," Giertuga said. "Well, if we're going to spend $80 million on a new arena which everyone here says we need, then we're getting the convention portion free."

National curling events, like the Scotties Tournament of Hearts or the Tim Horton's Brier, would also come to the city if the centre is built, said Rod Bosch, who plans curling events in the city.

Thunder Bay Coun. Trevor Giertuga said provincial funding for the event centre means the city would be getting the convention centre portion of the facility for free. (Trevor Giertuga) He said the current Fort William Gardens lacks the technical requirements for television, as well as amenities, like luxury boxes, needed to host such events.

However, the matter of whether the Winnipeg Jets' AHL farm team would relocate to Thunder Bay if the event centre is built remains up in the air.

The Thunder Bay LIVE consortium and Mark Chipman of the Winnipeg Jets/True North Entertainment held discussions Wednesday.

Any agreement with Chipman would have a seven year time-frame, city officials said, but nothing has been confirmed, as True North wants to ensure that the facility will go ahead.

Event centre has 'caused a rift on this council'

Thursday night's meeting took on an odd tone when its first presenter, Ray Smith from the Concerned Taxpayers of Thunder Bay, refused to take questions after his presentation against the centre.

Smith was told he had to take questions from council, as per policy, and he did, after some groaning and comments from the audience.

Coun. Larry Hebert raised the issue of some tension in the room at the beginning of the evening.

Some pointed questions to deputants and fellow councillors were perhaps out of place, he said.

"It's caused a rift on this council," he said. "Tonight there's been more respect shown than there has been in the last little while."

"I hope we can recover from it. I think we've been snipping at each other, and not showing the respect we should."