It was a project that came out of left field. When the city of Markham announced plans for an NHL-size arena in April and voted days later to approve the financial framework for a $325-million project, it left many asking where this deal came from.

That answer is finally coming to light. As reported in the Star over the weekend, the plan for the 20,000-seat arena in the heart of Markham’s new downtown at Kennedy Rd. and Hwy. 407 was conceived behind closed doors between the mayor, the developer and an arena promoter — with no public consultations and no disclosure to fellow councillors.

That might be OK if the deal was completely private. But as has become the norm with arenas in North America, the city’s 300,000 residents will also be on the hook. The city plans to take on a $325-million debt and will eventually pay for half through a complicated formula of development levies, ticket surcharges and parking fees. The private side, made up of billionaire developer Rudy Bratty and arena promoter Graeme Roustan, is to pay back the other $162.5 million.

On the surface, Markham’s arena dream has all the right intentions. It’s a facility expected to bring jobs, prestige and help boost development in the city’s core. It will also give GTA residents an alternative venue to the Air Canada Centre to enjoy entertainment, cultural and sporting events without having to travel all the way to downtown Toronto.

But many residents are cautious — and with good reason. Arenas have generally not been kind to taxpayers. The Rogers Centre, formerly the SkyDome, is a case in point. Originally estimated to cost $125 million, its final price soared to $600 million — with taxpayers on the hook for most of that. .

Of course, things will change if the NHL comes knocking on Markham’s door. Even though the city met with NHL officials in 2010, both sides have been mum on the prospects of acquiring a franchise. And no one knows what kind of compensation or indemnity fee the Maple Leafs would require for competing in their “territory.”

But missing from this discussion is what the public wants. The city is holding a handful of public meetings this month to hear what residents have to say. Councillors are also demanding more details before they vote to approve the project sometime this year.

The mayor and the private group are hoping to get a shovel in the ground by January. But that may be wishful thinking. Before that happens they need to start clearing up questions and concerns that still remain.

Read more about: