LEWISTON – A hearing to dismiss the city’s lawsuit against Roger Theriault, former owner of the Central Maine Civic Center, was delayed because of vacation schedules.

The hearing, scheduled for last Friday, has not been rescheduled, said Theriault’s lawyer, Rebecca Webber.

Attorneys for both sides have met to discuss the case but have not reached a settlement.

“Some discussions and negotiations are normal in a civil case,” Webber said Monday. “All we can say is that a new hearing has yet to be scheduled.”

Theriault sued in March after the city missed its first $25,000 installment payment for the purchase.

City officials later cut a check for $25,000 plus a $1,750 late-payment penalty, but Theriault declined it, seeking the total amount due of $225,000.

The city filed a countersuit in April, alleging that Theriault violated the sale agreement by conveying false information.

The city’s countersuit does not contain examples of false information or other specific examples of how Theriault breached the contract.

Theriault owned the Colisee when it was called the Central Maine Civic Center. He helped broker the deal that brought the Lewiston Maineiacs hockey team to town.

The city got involved in January 2004 after Theriault’s debt continued to mount and he was unable to continue with renovations to the arena.

In an effort to keep the arena open, keep the Maineiacs happy and protect its own $2 million loan to bring the team here, the City Council voted to buy the arena for $250,000.

It also acquired Theriault’s $3.2 million in debt to area builders, painters and engineers for work completed on the center.