The anti-event centre voice around city council chambers is starting to get louder. On Wednesday night freshman Coun. Shelby Ch’ng emphatically announced on Twitter she won’t be voting in favour of proceeding to Phase 5 of the $114.

The anti-event centre voice around city council chambers is starting to get louder.



On Wednesday night freshman Coun. Shelby Ch’ng emphatically announced on Twitter she won’t be voting in favour of proceeding to Phase 5 of the $114.7-million project when council votes on it at a special meeting Thursday night.



“Due to the lack of funding, I will NOT be supporting the financing for the TBECC,” Ch’ng said on Twitter.



Met with disappointment from one constituent, Ch’ng didn’t rule out the possibility of revisiting the controversial project down the road.



“We can do this! Let’s just save for it,” she said.



At-large Coun. Rebecca Johnson and Neebing Coun. Linda Rydholm have indicated they can’t support the project as presented, both expressing concern that the lion’s share of the federal government’s $23-million contribution will be re-allocated from the city’s gas-tax allocation.



Both contend it’s not new money and will affect the city’s ability to pay for infrastructure repairs and upgrades over the next decade.

Assuming all 12 councillors and Mayor Keith Hobbs are in attendance at Thursday night's meeting, the motion to proceed would need seven votes to pass or fail.

Hobbs, who presented the financial breakdown last week, says he plans to vote in favour of moving forward with the project, pending funding approvals from both senior levels of government. He'll be joined on the yes side by Coun. Iain Angus.

"I continue to support the proposed event and convention centre and will be voting in favour of the motion that takes us to stage five," Angus said.

McKellar Coun. Paul Pugh said he hasn't made up his mind just yet and prefers to wait for all the evidence.

"I plan to listen to the discussion and information, the issue is complex," he said, reached via email.

Meanwhile Westfort Coun. Joe Virdiramo said tonight's vote won't necessarily end the discussion. Like Pugh, he's taking a wait-and-see approach.

"I will listen to the deputations tonight," he said.

Coun. Frank Pullia, chairman of the budget committee, wouldn't yet commit one way or the other.

"This is an important decision that will affect our city for years to come and while I have some major concerns I want to keep an open mind until we have heard all of the information and debated all of the issues at tonight's meeting," Pullia said.

Red River Coun. Brian McKinnon said he's not tipping his hat until the vote is called.

"Not until I hear all of the information tonight and what the ramifications will be for any decision," McKinnon said.

Current River Coun. Andrew Foulds, says he's been a strong supporter all along, but feels he owes it to the public to listen to what both they and administration have to say on Thursday night.

Over the last two weeks I have received a number of emails, tweets, Facebook messages and phone calls from different people reflecting a range of opinions.

"I will do that and then make my decision," Foulds said, noting he's been inundated with calls and emails from people on both sides of the event-centre issue.

The city clerk's office said seven people have filed to give deputations to council at the meeting.

TB Newswatch has reached out to the three other councillors in an attempt to determine how they plan to vote on Thursday night.