AUBURN, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - After a twist-filled City Council meeting, Auburn councilors have voted to move forward with building a new ice arena.

The plan had been for a two rink, state of the art arena. A number of parents turned out with their children to illustrate the community desire for the project.

The issue councilors faced was finding the money to pay for $8.5 million in construction and $2 million in land.

The council's original plan was for a lease agreement. That would've required the city to put $4 million into a reserve account in case the project was unsuccessful financially and Auburn needed to pull out of the deal.

That could have meant a tax increase of as much as 10%.

Councilors also considered a bond. But bonds need a referendum and that process would mean the facility wouldn't be ready by winter.

So in the middle of the meeting, the developer met with the council in an executive session and offered a compromise on the lease agreement.

He agreed to reduce the reserve to $1.2 million. That would result in an estimated 3% tax increase next year.

The council voted in favor of that plan and assuming the numbers add up, will make their final decision in a couple weeks.

NEWS CENTER