By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – The city missed its first payment for the Colisee ice arena last month and now the former owner is suing for the $225,000 due on the sale.

Roger Theriault filed the complaint in Superior Court Wednesday, claiming 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 balance, plus a $1,750 penalty.

City Administrator Jim Bennett said he found out about the situation on Friday.

“We immediately cut a check for $26,750 and we hope it will end up being resolved,” Bennett said. “Obviously, the claim has been filed. But we hope that Roger is just protecting his interests and that we can work something out.”

Theriault owned the Colisee when it was called the Central Maine Civic Center.

The city paid him $25,000 when it closed on the arena in January 2004, and agreed to pay the remaining $225,000 over the next 10 years. The first installment was due last month, according to the complaint. The city could have either paid $25,000 on Feb. 1 or the first of 12 payments adding up to $25,000 by March 1.

Both days came and went without payment, the complaint claims. Theriault contacted city attorney Martin Eisenstein on March 10, according to the complaint.

Theriault is also seeking interest, costs and attorney fees.

Attorney Jack Conway, one of the lawyers representing Theriault, said he was aware that the city had cut a check.

“We know they did try to pay the lesser amount, but because of the default we really need the entire amount now,” Conway said.

Bennett would not say why the payment was late. “We’d rather hang on and see if we can get this resolved before we talk about it,” he said.

“It’s in the best interest of everyone involved if we can use the next week or two to see if we can get everything resolved and just get back to the business at hand.”

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