But a series of amendments the group had suggested to conditions the Carisbrook Stadium Trust had to meet had to be reasonable, he said.
"We're well aware if we had come up with really impossible-to-meet conditions we wouldn't have passed go. We've got to be realistic."
Councillors Kate Wilson, Dave Cull and Chris Staynes have moved to set timeframes and specify fundraising targets for the Awatea St stadium, an initiative they say will assist a process they have so far opposed.
Cr Wilson said this week the group had failed to get traction with other councillors with its opposition, and had to "work at the next level".
Cr Cull said the amendments had been put forward because the conditions the trust was working to were not specific enough.
"These motions are endeavouring to provide clarity around the conditions. We've always pointed out the risk," he said.
Asked to clarify his stand on the stadium, Cr Cull said he questioned whether it was necessary and useful, and whether it was going to be viable.
"In terms of being pro or anti, I'm anti to the extent I don't think we can afford it."
If the city had plenty of money, there were plenty of new things he would like to see built.
