The Toronto City Council unanimously backed a plan
yesterday that "clears the way for speedy approval" of a new
sports arena atop Union Station, according to DeMara,
Moloney & Ormsby of the TORONTO STAR. After the vote, Maple
Leafs Chair Steve Stavro said that he hopes to have a deal
for a joint-arena with the Raptors by mid-July, downplaying
"any concern" that current Raptors Majority Owner Allan
Slaight would "scuttle" such a deal. On Monday, Slaight
issued a release stating it was "impossible -- for both
physical and legal reasons -- for the Raptors to abandon
construction" of their planned Air Canada Centre. Slaight
added that as long as he controls the Raptors, he would
"fight" the Union Station plan, "which we view to be
entirely unacceptable." Stavro: "I'm not concerned with Mr.
Slaight and his statements. I'm dealing with [prospective
owner] Isiah Thomas and we're going ahead with our arena"
(TORONTO STAR, 4/30). The SUN's Lance Hornby notes that Air
Canada Centre, which Slaight has broke ground on, is on land
the Leafs intend to use as part of their arena project, and
"seemingly, it would be too far along to halt by July 15
when the Leafs hope to have their rezoning problems cleared
by council" (TORONTO SUN, 4/30).
ZEKE SPEAKS: Thomas declined comment on Slaight's
release, but said that he had "every intention" of seeing
the purchase of the Raptors through. But Thomas "cautioned"
that a joint agreement with the Leafs and his own deal with
Slaight would have to go ahead "virtually simultaneously for
both agreement to move forward" (TORONTO SUN, 4/29).
