The City of Toronto and MLG execs "are expected to
spell out the fate" of the proposed Union Station arena
project today in a joint statement, according to Don Wanagas
of the TORONTO SUN, who adds that "all indications are that
the project pitched ... will not proceed" (TORONTO SUN,
7/18). Also in Toronto, Bruce DeMara reports that Leafs MLG
Dir Brian Bellmore "is suggesting that time may have already
run out," as work on the Raptors' Air Canada Centre "is so
far advanced that any hope for a joint arena deal at Union
Station may be gone" (TORONTO STAR, 7/18).
AIR CANADA: Raptors President Richard Peddie tells the
SUN's Craig Daniels that construction of the Air Canada
Centre is about a week ahead of schedule. Peddie adds that
if the project falls through, Air Canada "could sue
everybody." In touting the Air Canada Centre, Daniels
writes that adding NHL-caliber amenities to the project
would increase the total cost from C$207-C$230M. Daniels:
"You divide that figure in two, and you have a sensible
$115-million each. It's why the Maple Leafs one day will
clue into the reality of what is unfolding at Bay St. and
Lake Shore Blvd. Or maybe they won't. But you certainly
could make a case that the Leafs have forfeited their right
to dictate terms of the arena. They bungled their way
through the Union Station process" (TORONTO SUN, 7/18).
