RAPTORS ARENA FATE UNCERTAIN AS ANOTHER DEADLINE PASSES

     The Raptors have "failed again" in meeting a deadline for
the start of construction of the proposed 22,500-seat Air Canada
Centre, according to David Israelson of the TORONTO STAR.
Failure to begin work by May 1 "leaves persistent doubt in the
air over whether the project will actually get started."  The
team has yet to close the deal to actually buy the land and
rumors have "been circulating for months" suggesting the team is
having difficulty arranging financing.  Other speculation is that
the team is hoping to involve the Maple Leafs, "which would help
defray the cost and make the project even more attractive."  Jay
Cross, Raptors Stadium Development Dir, said team officials hope
to conclude the deal by the end of the month and that financing
is "not a problem."  He said legal work is "simply taking more
time than anticipated" (TORONTO STAR, 4/30).