2 - Sunday, June 10, 1590 - North Shore News Southam gives assurances to bureau THE SOUTHAM Newspaper Group (SNG) announced Friday that it has given specific assurances of cooperatior and _ operating autonomy to the Bureau of Com- petition Policy during its investiga- tion of the operation of Lower Mainland Fublishing Ltd. (LMPL). The assurances, or undertakings, will be in effect until mid to late August and have been made to assist the bureau in its review of transactions that led to the forma- tion of LMPL earlier this year. SNG has a controlling interest in LMPL, a company that includes the North Shore News and 13 other Lower Mainland community newspapers. SNG also owns Pacific Press, the publisher of tae Vancouver Sun and the Province. Southam’s corporate extension into the focal suburban weekly newspaper arena resulted in the concentration of ownership of the major Lower Mainland community newspapers in the region into two rival companies: LMPL and the MetroValley Newspaper Group. The federal investigation will at- tempt to determine whether the SNG acquisitions reduce competi- tion in the field. As a result of the federal review, Southam has undertaken to hold separate the four business groups that make up LMPL. The Now Group, North Shore Free Press Ltd., RIM Publishing Inc. and Bex Publishing Inc. will continue to operate independent of SNG and of each other. In addition, Southam has under- taken to hold the operations of LMPL separate from its newspa- per publishing. printing and other business acitvities. SNG announced that there will be no interaction between LMPL and the Vancouver Sun or the Province. Said North Shore News publisher and LMPL group chairman Peter Speck, ‘*The undertakings are responsive to the long-term goa! of LMPL of main- taining a community focus.”’ Added SNG president Russ Mills, ‘‘S am pleased with the cur- rent relationship with the bureau.” Mills expressed confidence that the bureau will determine that LMPL will have a beneficial effect on competition in the highly- con:pclii.:2 Vancouver community newspaper market. LMPL was formed in May when SNG exchanged its interest in North Shore Free Press Ltd. and cash for 63 per cent of LMPL’s shares. Madison Venture Corp. exchanged assets and cash for the remaining LMPL shares. LMPL also acquired 75 per cent of RIM _ Publishing Inc., the publisher of the Vancouver Courier, and 100 per cent of Bex Publishing Ltd., the publisher of the Delta Optimist and other publications. Goli Course Redesign Saves Stand of Old Growth Cedar Glenr. Patterson, Dendrologist and Registered Forester with over 40 years experience said: “This redesign of the Cypress Ridge Golf Course gives the Municipality of West Vancouver the best of both worlds. The stand of trees is saved and we will have a 27 hole world class championship course.”’ West Vancouver Golf Course Advisory Committee and The West Vancouver Parks and Recreation Commission Enthusiastically and Unanimously Approve Redesign. After reviewing the redesign of the Cypress Ridge Golf Course, the following resolution was carried unanimously: “The Cypress Ridge Golf Course Advisory Committee advise Council that it strongly endorses the revised 27 hole golf course plan dated 1990 May 30 showing the preservation of approximately 20 acres of old growth trees in the North West corner of the project site. And further recommends to Council approval of the revised plan.’’ A similar motion was passed by the Commission. THE ‘‘ISSUES”’ Won't public golf players have an inferior course? NO FACT: Have the proponents done enough to study the environment? YES FACT: Talisman Environmental Consultants supervised a comprehensive study, invoiving six other highly respected firms. Norecol Environmental Consultants, on behalf of West Vancouver Municipality, reviewed this study. We have addressed all the concerns raised. We will have an environmental monitor on site to make certain all aspects of the course construction is acceptable. 1. a) We are not building an inferior course. We are building 27 championship holes. b) The capital funding by members will result in subsidized fees for public golfers. c) The 27 hole design with three varied nines allows for THREE DIFFERENT nine hole courses. Will the proponents, Cypress Ridge Golf Ltd., “‘flip’’ the course, presumably to outsiders? NO FACT: a) Residents of West Vancouver will have first priority to purchase 500 equity memberships. b. The lease arrangement restricts transfer of control for a period of 10 years. Should the municipality build an 18 hole golf course? FACT: Our proposal for a 27 hole championship course was made in accord with the Community Pian and at the request of West Vancouver Council and will be built at no cost to the taxpayers. An 18 hole municipal course would cost the taxpayers ten million dollars, and would not be economically fonci feasible. Is the Golf Course economically feasible? YES FACT: a) The West Vancouver Golf Course Advisory Committee examined both the economic feasibility of the Golf Course and the financial capability of the proponent, Cypress Ridge Golf Limited. They were completely satisfied on both matters. b) The proponent was required to provide both capital and Operating reserves. Won't this project benefit only a small number of people? NO FACT: a) Over 30,000 rounds of public play will be available annually. b) Club members, who will pay all the capital costs, will play an additional 30,000 rounds. c) The Municipality will receive approximately $160,000 per year as a percentage of gross. d) The Municipality will receive property taxes from the golf ; 6 SPE Ol PE ato 247 Karine Live Mast VamcoUver Will there he a lot of noise from hitting golf balls? NO course. e) The golf course will be one of the largest employers in West Vancouver. f) Construction of the course will result in benefits to architects, engineers, contractors and material suppliers, to name a few. g) Operation of the course will result in significant benefits to retailers and suppliers. FACT: The sound of a golf club hitting a golf ball is certainly not an offensive or loud sound. Will there be noisy go-carts? NO FACT: 8. All recreational uses on the site are defined in the lease agreement with West Vancouver. Although the revised proposal will satisfy the concerns of those A second Public Hearing is being held at the Municipal Hall at 7:30 anxious about the preservation of old growth forest, there is a small p.m., Monday, June 11. We urge you to attend and express your but very vocal group of activists who oppose most change. We are views on what is one of the most important recreational facilities to concerned that their voices may be heard over those of the vast be considered for West Vancouver. majority of West Vancouver residents who want to see this project If you have any questions about our proposal, please phone proceed. 922-4161 or 684-5830 on Sunday between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., or Monday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Cypress Ridge Golf Limited Stephen Hynes Frank Sojonky