Ambleside
building height
upsets locals

Deana Lancaster

News Reporter
dlancaster@nsnews.com

IT was views versus
medical services during
a public hearing in
West Vancouver
Tuesday night.

Eighteen peuple stepped
up to the mic during the hear-
ing at municipal hail co speak
about the project: proposed
for the Hollyburn Medical
centre site. About half of
them. spoke against the
mixed-use project, primarily
because the proposed build-
ing exceeds current: height
restrictions, and requires a
shange in zoning and an
amendment. to the Official
Community Plan.

Most of them said) they
were concerned about the
Precedent the project’ would
set and that the building
would change the “village-like
tee!” of Ambleside. Most also admitted that
their views of the ocean would be altered if the
Project went ahead.

Almost all who spoke in favour of the pro-
ject said they were concerned about losing
medical services if the development did not get
‘the green light,

British Properties resident Bill Gibson told
‘council that he was recently retired. “T see a lot

Cal cenire p

fre oN ee

of people like me ... aging gracefully, like the
Hollyburn Medical centre.” He pointed out
that with the community’s growing number of
seniors, the need for medical services was press-
ing.

“We need a new centre,” he said. “My view
will not be impacted — my neighbours and the
Capilano golf course have already taken care of

rono

Friday, December 1, 2000 - North Shore News - 3

graphic Chard Retait De
SOME neighbours argued against the zoning and official community plan amendments which would allow
construction of the new development. Others supported the project because it retains the medical centre.

people than it will inconvenience.”

Resident Carolyn Stenson agreed.

“Twonder how many of the objectors are
actually aware of the alternatives here.” She
pointed out chat if the centre is not approved
the community faces “the potential of losing
(services) to the overall more convenient med-
ical location of North Vancouver, closer to the
hospital.”

“it

arks debate

‘Twelve of the [4 doctors cur
rently pracusing in the centre
as Well as the luboratory and
West Van's only X-ray facility
have agreed to move inte the
new building. Several of the

doctors spoke ins support of

the project, and said) they
could not tind another space
in West Vancouver to establish
a centre where thev could all
practise,

Dr. Nigel Walton had a differ-

ent perspective. He is one of

the two doctors whe does not
plan to move to the new cen-
tre.
“I believe we do need a new
medical facility,” he said. “My
reservation is that this is not
the right one.”
‘The new centre will not be an
expanded one — it's almost
identicat in size. Many of the
doctors are moving into
smaller office spaces to save
_on rent, which will be higher
in the new building but on
par with market rates for med-
ical space.
Walton said. the proposed
facility isn’t adequate to meet
the — community’s future
needs, And since the doctors
will move to the completed
medical building before the
current: one is demolished,
they'll be treating patients in the midst of a
ronstruction site for a projected qwo to four
years.

“E don’t think people have an idea of how
difficult this is going to be.” .

There were still several parties to speak at
the hearing, so it will continue at the Monday,
Dee. 4 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in council cham-
bers.

hopment td.

ogy

Explorers Club nonours North
Vancouver’s Phil Nuytten

PHIL Nuytten, president of North Vancouver-

based Nuytco Research Ltd., was honoured on

Tuesday evening with a Lowell Thomas Award
"from the Explorers Club in New York City.

The Explorers Club, founded in 1904, is dedicated to the

advancement of field research and scientific exploration.

» Nuytten was the only Canadian recipient of the Lowell

- Thomas award, given to leaders in undersea technology and
‘exploration. The Explorers Club called the group of recipients
“the greatest assemblage of ocean explorers ever to appear at
one siagle event.” ; o

=. According to the club’s Web site, Nuytten “is widely
“regarded as onc of the pioneers of the modern commercial
_diving industry.” His inventions, including the “Newtsuit,” a
: single atmosphere diving suit, and the Exosuit, are used for
_deep-sea exploration and rescue. ;

The Explorers Club also noted the development of the
DeepWorker 2000, a submarine which can allow one scientist
to drop to depths of 2,000 feet (600 metres) and remain sub-

“moerged with life support for up to 80 hours, Its capabilities
“are better than any submersible directly operated vehicle of its
size.
“. Nuytten and his design team are working with the National
Geographic Society to provide DeepWorkers and crews on |
’ Sustainable Seas Expeditions: Sylvia Earle, another recipent of
this year’s Lowell Thomas award, has spearheaded the project.

The $350,000 DeepWorkers were also used in the recovery
of Space Shuttle bouster rockets during a recent flight to the
U.S: space station.

Other recipients of the Lowell Thomas awards were: Jean-
Michel Cousteau, a television producer of marine programs
and son of well-known ocean environmentalist Jacques
Cousteau; David Doubilet, a frequent National Geographic
contract photographer, and Capt. Andreas Rechnitzer, a veter-
an expeditionary leader. .

Lowell Thomas was a war correspondent, world famous .
radio and TV news broadcaster, and lifetime supporter of the

‘Explorers Club.

9

-— Marcie Good

Peer ha TA rene artes OP OP

that ... (The centre) will be a benefit to more

NORTH Vancouver's Phil Nuytten was the only Canadian recipient of the Lowell Thomas award, given to fead-'
-ers in undersea technology and exploration. :

NEWS photo Torry Peters

7-Eleven attack witnesses wanted -

POLICE are fooking for wit-
nesses to an attack on Oct. 2 in
which one man was stabbed in
the back and nearly had a hand
severed.

North Vancouver RCMP are trying to
find nwo witnesses who saw the El p.m:
“fight” at the 7-Eleven on Lynn Valley
Road.

North Vancouver’s. Ryan Vena, 19,
sustained a punctured lung after ‘being
stabbed. His right hand was almost sev-
ered, Vena’s injuries were life-threaten-
ing, but he has recovered.

North Vancouver. Mounties wish to
speak to nwo people who called 9-1-1

Lae hg

while watching the incident. One of the

+ Witnesses was named Dorothy, the sec-

ond one was unidentified.

Because a lot of 9-1-1 calls were com-
ing in at the time, the dispatcher put the
callers on hold and did not get the callers’
names and details before the calls ended.

Police believe several other people
witnessed the incident.

Any witness is asked to call the North
Vancouver RCMP serious crime section
at 985-1311 or Crime Scoppers.

Meanwhile two North Vancouver
men were ordered to stand trial last week
in connection with an alleged racially-
motivated retaliation bid to the 7-Eleven
incident involving assaults with weapons.

Jeff David McLean and Spencer
Joseph Hutson, both 19, are charged
with assault with a pellet gun of two
young men on Oct. 5 at the Lonsdale rec
centre.

McLean allegedly hit one of the same
teenagers with a baseball bat during dur-
ing 2 subsequent incident at Lions Gate
Hospital’s emergency ward. ;

MeLean, who is in. custody, and
Spencer had a three-day preliminary hear-
ing last week before North Vancouver
provincial © court Judge — Reginald
Grandison. ,

The case will now be heard in B.C. -

Supreme Court.::
—Anna Marie D'Angelo

Soi Rae ee 2