MARKHAM, Ont. — Markham is a step closer to building an NHL-size arena after its city council voted Tuesday night to keep a plan to contribute public money to the proposed project.

After several hours of debate and input from residents, council voted 7-6 to reject a motion that sought to scrap the current arena plan.

It would see Markham borrow $325 million to build a 20,000 seat area on a vacant lot (near Highway 407 and Kennedy Road).

The private partners behind the project would repay half of the loan and the city would pay off the other half through levies on developers.

Before the vote, mayor Frank Scarpitti said the arena was an “incredible opportunity” and that the cost would not be passed on to current residents.