TORONTO ARENA FINANCING ALL RAPPED UP?

     The Raptors are expected to announce that they have
completed deals, including one with Bank of Nova Scotia, that
would provide the C$200M needed to get their arena project under
way, sources told Craig Daniels of the TORONTO SUN.  A source
familiar with the negotiations told Daniels that, "There
definitely has been some movement.  But there's still some
question whether it all comes together (today) or later in the
week.  There could be an announcement in the next day or so."
With financing in place, the team can formally purchase the land
from Canada Post, which should take two or three weeks.  Because
construction will not begin until late October or early November,
the Raptors still need to obtain an extension on a city-imposed
deadline of September 30 for completing the land transaction.
Mayor Barbara Hall said she is prepared to call a special meeting
to grant the extension (TORONTO SUN, 9/26).