Former arena owner sues city over payment

LEWISTON – The former owner of the Colisee ice arena is suing the city for missing its first payment on the arena last month and is now seeking the full $225,000 he is owed.

The city early last year agreed to buy the financially troubled arena – then called the Central Maine Civic Center – from Roger Theriault for $250,000, extend a $200,000 loan to the Lewiston Maineiacs and assume another $4.2 million in debt.

The city agreed to buy the facility to keep the Maineiacs, a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League franchise, from leaving town.

The city paid Theriault $25,000 when they closed on the arena in January 2004 and agreed to pay the remaining $225,000 over the next 10 years.

In a complaint filed Wednesday in Androscoggin County Superior Court, Theriault claimed the city failed to pay him the $25,000 due by Feb. 1 or to make arrangements by March 1. He is seeking the full amount, plus a $1,750 penalty, interest, court costs and attorney fees.