The Blue Jays have "negotiated a one-year temporary
lease" that will keep them in SkyDome, according to sources
of MacDonald & Grange of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. The deal
includes an option for a one-year renewal. A source said the
intent is to "ultimately extend" the deal to 10 years. The
news comes amid reports that SkyDome is about to file for
bankruptcy protection (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 11/24). But
SkyDome President & CEO Patrick McDougall denied the
bankruptcy protection reports: "My view is many of the
statements ... are inaccurate" (TORONTO SUN, 11/24).
RAPTORS WILL STAY: Raptors President Richard Peddie said
that even if SkyDome filed for bankruptcy protection, the
team "would honour its contract" with the facility should the
NBA season begin before February 21, the date the Raptors are
set to move into the Air Canada Centre (TORONTO STAR, 11/24).
BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO: In a front-page story in the
TORONTO STAR, Tony Van Alphen writes that SkyDome Board Chair
Senator Trevor Eyton and SkyDome Board Dir Paul Godfrey, two
"driving forces" behind the construction of the facility,
"have quit." Godfrey said that he resigned last week and his
decision "had nothing to do with the stadium's current
difficulties." Godfrey confirmed that Eyton had also left
the board. SkyDome Dir and former John Labatt Ltd. CEO
George Taylor replaced Eyton (TORONTO STAR, 11/24).
