46 - Sunday, Apr 26, 1992 - North Shore News BUSINESS -- Software centre to receive provincial start-up funds A DECISION on a _ per- manent site for a ‘‘software productivity centre’’ will be made this spring. The facility, considered by a committee of the Science Council of B.C. as a necessary resource to support the province's burgeoning software industry, will receive $386,773 worth of provincial start-up funding. The government will also cover half of the centre’s operational costs. Fees for. services and membership fees. will provide ad- ditional support for the operation. Plans call for the centre to. be managed by a non-profit society based on a membership of about 100 information technology com- panies. _ The information. technology sector employs about 12,000 peo- Michael ecker HIGH TECH ple throughout the province and generated about $1.5 billion worth of revenue last year alone. The economic sector is healthy, posting a 20% yearly growth rate over the past decade. The proposed centre will be of use to those active in the com- puter software field. It will be a source of current information on industry developments and staff training support. The centre wilf provide a base for workshops and will include a library and a software develop- ment laboratory. Pending the identification of a permanent site for the facility, the B.C. Software Productivity Centre is located in offices adjacent to the Science Council offices in Metrotown. Bruce Elliott, of North Van- couver-based Nissi Technologies, is a director for the centre. Kids’ safety awareness focus of shopping centre program THE FOURTH Annual Kids Sense Program is com- ing to shopping centres in British. Columbia from Wednesday, April 28 to Saturday, May 2. Kids Sense is an all-Canadian _ public program that promotes safety awareness to kids four to 12 years of age and their parents. The program familiarizes them with everday safety so that their responses in any crisis situation are sensible and automatic. _-. North Shore. centres par- ticipating in the event are Lons- - dale Quay, Capilano Mall, Lynn Valley Centre and Park Royal ~-: Shopping Centre. -People can expect an array of fun and free activities sponsored by local service organizations devoted to child and youth safety in the community. Displays will include the fire department, police department, block parents, ambulance services and poison control centres. The focus will be on bicycle and helmet safety, fire safety, street- proofing and water safety. New this year is the introduc- tion of the Let’s Talk Safety ac- tivity books, which were devel- oped by the B.C. Kids Sense Committee in an effort to help children know how to keep safe, and at the same time’ to raise money for Child Find B.C., a non-profit organization which aids in the location of missing and/or abducted children. The book is an instructive tool that has been designed to teach “children ‘about safety on their level. Kids can color, write, sing, connect the dots, do werd puzzles and play games while learning the basics of safety and how they can make their world a safer place to live and play. The books are free for children; however, organizers are encourag- ing parents to make a donation to Child Find B.C. The province-wide search for Kids Sense safety Heroes will cul- minate in award presentations on Wednesday, April 29 at par- ticipating shopping centres. Police, fire and municipal offices will recognize outstanding young people across. .the province for demonstrating their common sense and safety sense in the perfor- mance of a heroic deed. VISIT US AT OUR NEW LOCATION Moved to Serve You Beiter Six stores down from Woodwards Inside Park Royal North Mall - Still offering Private Collision and. Comprehensive with Free Emergency Road Department Store ; NORTH SHOR E CREDIT , 51st Year Achievements Jack Bright, Chairman and Phil Keller, Chief Executive Officer are pleased to report a very successful year for North Shore Credit Unicn in 1991. North Shore Credit Union, the only regional financial institution headquartered on the North Shore, enters its second half century on a platform of success and sound quality growth. 1991 results have been published, and they show. exeellent performance in all areas: assets, deposits, and loans ail increased - between 11% and 12%, while members’ equity rose by 23% and retained earnings and reserves by almost 25%. Assets are at $400 million at this credit union of almost 40,000 members. Dividends - increased 25%, and equity shares brought a -13% return on. investment. Net earnings rose 39%, to over $1.9 million. Non-finan-ial results were also extremely positive. The modem and spacious West Pender Street branch was opened to serve the needs of members working and living in the downtown Vancouver area, The Whistler branch underwent renovation to effectively serve its increased business, and now offers a separate Foreign Exchange Center, The NORCU insurance subsidary recorded: its most successful year, and is set for opening more offices in 1992. Pa:t of this success stems from NORCU's staff, wito act as insurance counsellors to clients and members, and are © compensated by salary instead of commissions. New products introduced include the flexible “Hedge Your Bets” term deposit, which offers extra high rates, and the opportunity to withdraw a portion cach year without penalty should other - investments become more attractive. Community support continued to be 2 major initiative, as the credit union’s “Partners in Your Community” theme manifested itself. | in sponsoring the Blue Box recycling effort on the North Shore, and * in funding a wide variety of community initiatives. , As Phil Keller. Chief.Executive Officer. notes: “As a méeiuber and owner of North Shove. Credit Union, you'll be reassured by our solid progress and shovid anticipate future, success. profi its, and value from our efforts aimed at quality growth and ‘excellence i in service.".” North Shore Credit Union is a member of the province-wide system of 107 credit unions under the leadership umbrella of B.C. ~ Central Credit Union. The system as a whole posted a healthy 28% earnings increase in 1991, for a figure of almost $116 million before’. - dividends and taxes The capital base of the system rose to $461 million, and assets grew to $12.1 billion. : : The credit union system forms the widest network of financiat- institutions in the province, with over 280 locations serving 120 : communities. It has !.1 million members, who own shares in their credit union and share in the profits generated by keeping their , financial accounts in the credit union. Depositors are insured up to $100,000 per separate deposit per credit union, versus the $60,000 bank deposit guarantee. Credit union membership is open to all who would like to own a piece of their financial institution. : . Phil Ketler, Jack Bright, Chairman Service to qualifying buyers. ots, Ee Royal Insurance . Canada Chief Executive Officer " Michele Mark Fadi Davies Heine Moodad Park Royal North (inside) For All Your Insurance Needs 922-9321