WEDNESDAY

March 1,
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@ Business..........
Classifieds.

@ Crossword... 4
@ Inside Stories................ 13
@ N. Shore Alert. 10
@ Sports.. ssavstecssscsecessneee ae

LL c:)'1-) D4 5)

‘@ Canada ‘standing still
'- gays Reform MP: 3

8% Local business reacts
te budget: 3

: P Gov't needs to finish
"what it’s started: 6

*

” Budget math gets ‘
from Noel Wright:

‘8 Bowen 2cds fine ales
to brew heritage: 16

@ A taste of theatrical

now available in a
supercharged version.

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pa Kegt Cretacias

Taste?

Weather

Thursday: mainly sunny,
gh 8°C, low -3°C.

NEWS photo Terry Peters

“THE LOWER Lonsdale branch of the Bank of Montreal was closed on Monday
afier an armed robbery. North Vancouver RCMP Const. Karen Milier talks to a
witness after the noon-hour heist. See details om page 5.

N. Van District buys skating time in three-way agreement

ICE TIME across the North Shore
should be easier to find in September
1996 as the result of a three-way agree-

ment between the Tsleil’waututh
(Burrard Band), North Vancouver
District and the Recreation
Commission.

On Monday, council unanimously endorsed
‘Takaya Development's proposal to build and
operate a multi-sheet ice facility on Burrard
Band land cast of Apex Drive next to the Takaya
Golf Driving Range.

“What a pleasure it is and what a matter of
pride it can be to accomplish, through discus-
sion and mutual interest, a decision that benefits
people,” said Mayor Murray Dykeman.

Dykeman said he was proud that the district
could negotiate this type of historic agreement
with the band ata time of suspicion and hostili-
ty in some quarters.

“There's significance to me personally as a
Canadian,” said Dykeman. :

Native Strategic Investments will provide
capital for the project. Takaya Developments
will provide the land and’ human resources to

NORTH VANCOUVER
DISTRICT COUNCIL
By Martin Millerchip

both build and work in the facility.

The district will pre-purchase a year’s worth
of ice time — 2,000 hours.

District staff expect the project will result in
a gross cost of $400,000 per year for the ice
time.

Daily operation of the rink facility will like-
ly be contracted to the recreation commission.

Coun. Ernie Crist congratulated the commis-
sion for its work in developing the project with
the Burrard Band.

“They're happy because of the income,
because of the number of jobs for the native
indians. We're happy because we don’t have ta
spend capital, the sports community is happy
because they are going to get their ice rinks,

“Everybody's happy. It's a wonderful world
after all,” said Crist. ‘

And Coun. Pam Goldsmith-Jones enthusias-
tically endorsed the project as an example of
Liberal Finance Minister Paul Martin's call to

local communities to look to themselves for
innovative funding concepts.

“We ure giving up some control and, you
know what, we are getting a better deal. We're
getting a cappuccino bar, for heaven sakes,” said
Goldsmith-Jones.

The project concept calls for:
two to four ice sheets (size to be determined);
@ four to six indoor tennis courts;

8 a bar/restaurant;

Ba sports medicine clinic;

Bi a cappuccino bar;

a health club/weight roon/gym;
@ batting cages;

an arcade; and
a driving range.

Coun, Jim Cuthbert agreed that the ice rink
facility would soften the demand for ice time in
the Seymour area but cautioned that a planned
feasibility study will provide specifics on what
the attractions will be.

Director of recreation Gary Young agreed.

“Once that study is completed then we'll
know exactly what components they can put in
there. It’s their money, it’s their project.” Young
told the News. He said Takaya is fast-tracking
the study. He expects the report by April.

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