LEWISTON – For at least one more day, the Lewiston Maineiacs are remaining silent about their final plans for next season, but signs are pointing overwhelmingly toward a renewed commitment to Lewiston and to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

“I believe they’ve concluded that this is the best place for them to be,” Colisee owner Jim Cain said Monday. “I believe that reforging a partnership with the community, with youth hockey, all these things are achievable. They seem to believe it can be done, and I do to.”

Cain’s Firland Management purchased the Colisee from the city of Lewiston last year, and inherited the original lease between the Maineiacs and the city.

Cain said Monday that the lease, as written, wouldn’t necessarily change if the team stayed.

“The things that will change, in my view, is that there’d be more working together,” Cain said. “In combining resources, we’d do things that would make more sense for the both of us.”

The Maineiacs organization remained silent Monday. Head coach Don MacAdam, who has appeared to be at the forefront of the team’s reorganization efforts in recent weeks, spoke only of the team’s on-ice performance in interviews, saying, “I have no comment at this time,” when questioned about next year’s plans.

Last week, though, MacAdam alluded to the team staying in Lewiston.

“I haven’t heard anything different than we’ll be playing at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee next season,” MacAdam said on March 10. “I know there are all kinds of rumors out there, but right now, we’re still here.”

Two days later, MacAdam followed up by saying talks between the team and the Colisee were ongoing.

“We have meetings scheduled over the next few days and into next week to look at different options that will help improve and create opportunities for the team, the building and the community going forward,” MacAdam said.

Speculation began in mid-January that the Maineiacs may relocate. On Jan. 31, the Maineiacs applied to the league to do just that, with an eye on Boisbriand, Quebec.

Montreal Junior owner Farrell Miller, citing a geographical proximity clause, blocked the move. The Maineiacs’ attention then turned to Fredericton, New Brunswick, where several members of the organization have ties, including MacAdam and head scout Roger Shannon, who also is the general manager for the University of New Brunswick hockey club.

That option appeared to stall more than a week ago, leading to speculation that the Maineiacs may, indeed, remain in Lewiston, at least for one more year. More rumblings in recent days suggest a longer-term commitment.

The team is expected to officially announce its decision at Tuesday’s game.

Cain made it clear where he believes the team will be.

“I believe they’re going to be right here,” Cain said.

The Maineiacs, meanwhile, are trailing 2-0 in their best-of-7 first-round playoff series with Drummondville. Games 3 and 4 are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Colisee.