RAPTORS "REDOING THEIR LAIR" TO INCLUDE MAPLE LEAFS?

     Raptors officials are altering designs for the new stadium
to include 1,000 more seats for basketball and make room for the
possible acquisition of the Maple Leafs.  Raptors stadium project
director Jay Cross called it "a streamlined design."  Maple Leaf
Gardens is considered too small for NBA basketball and Raptors VP
Tom Mayenknecht noted "the asset is the hockey team, not
necessarily the building."  Also, an industry source has
indicated the Raptors have a deadline at the end of this month to
resolve negotiations with the proposed stadium site's new owners.
Mayenknecht's response:  "We're interested in proceeding with the
task at hand.  We're preparing for construction next summer"
(Craig Daniels, TORONTO SUN, 9/13).