44 — Wednesday, August 19, 1992 ~ North Shore News Arthur Griffiths las earned his sudden respect WHEN THE communications conglomerate Western Broadcasting Co. purchased the Vancouver Canucks in 1974, Frank A. Griffiths instantly became something of a saint among National Hockey League purists on the West Coast, It was during the same summer’ of °74 when Minneapolis-based businessman Thomas Scallen, the original owner of the Vancouver franchise, had been sentenced to four years in prison on charges of filing a false prospectus and fraud. (An appeal eventually resulted in Scallen’s term being ‘reduced to two years less a day). Not only did the new ownership create.a feeling of much-needed | stability “throughout the league,. . the players in Vancouver respond- ed by. winning the Smythe Divi- sion. Championship in 1974-75 under general manager and head coach Phil Maloney.’ Mr. Griffiths, a buoyant 58- year-old, had gone on record to say his company had purchased | the NHL franchise ‘‘in the.interest | of the Vancouver community; the interest of the people of British . Columbia.”” And he hasn’t changed that tune. over the past 17 hockey seasons, though in recent years the torch has been handed to his se- cond of two sons, Arthur. ‘6 People don't tell ‘short- ~ jokes’ about Arthur any ‘more. There are no longer references to his __. upbringing in such wealthy surroundings. 99 . To be sure, brothers Frank Jr. and Arthur took more than their share of swipes and snide remarks when “Daddy”? inched them into the business of helping to run a big-league sports franchise back in the mid-1970s. The Griffiths family — al! of them -~ persevered, and today the Vancouver Canucks are one of the ‘most respected organizations ‘throughout major Jeague sports in North America. Mr. Frank Griffiths, now in his 76th year, proudly watched Ar- thur announce last week the Canucks purchase of a 5.3-acre piece of property that will one day “house- their. own $100 - million arena adjacent to'B.C. Place. It was during the mid-afternoon news conference in the steaming outdoors when the television cam- eras panned an ailing Mr. Grif- fiths in a seated position with his wife, Emily, standing at his side. ’ As Arthur spoke, the looks on the faces of his parents said it all: ‘looks of delightful satisfaction and justifiable self-respect. People don’t tell ‘‘short-jokes”’ * about Arthur anymore. There are no longer references to his up- bringing in such , wealthy surroundings. Arthur Griffiths — husband, father and concerned citizen — is all grown up. He is: president of Northwest Sports Enterprises Ltd., the team’s parent company, and vice-chairman and governor of Bringing Quality to Life Greg Dougias GOAL LINES the team itself. Arthur rolled up his sleeves and went through several sleepless nights during the infamous NHL Players Association’ strike last April. They were frustrating times, but never once did he fail to be cn hand when his presence was re- quired by his fellow governors, and towards the end of the emo- tional walkeut, Arthur constantly made himself available to the gnawing media at his perch behind the podium at Cenire Ice Restau- rant in the bowels of the Col- iseum. In a direct and honest ap- proach, Arthur warned of a hike in the cost of tickets for the 1992-93 season as early as May 15 in the aftermath of the Canucks’ playoff run. “We were looking at losing $2.5-$3 million without playoff revenue,”’ he said in a straight- forward fashion aiter seven post- season sellouts at the Coliseum. “Right now, I can’t predict how big the loss will be, but it will be over $1 million and probably be- tween $1.5 and $2 million.” He readily admitted the new collective bargaining agreement, which called for retroactive in- creases to the players’ benefit package and playoff award money, had thrown a curve into the Canucks’ financial planning. Rather than hiding behind a mid-summer press release, Arthur faced the music and stated the facts in early May. He stood up and was counted, as well, in the furor that sur- rounded the decision to leave the PNE. “‘As a business decision, which I see this as, it dogs not make any sense to be a tenant in a public facility any longer,’’ Arthur said. “The PNE didn’t believe we were going to move downtown; they thought it was a negotiating ploy. But the only way to salvage this business was to go downtown. We weren’t playing any games.”’ Through beth issues — the players’ strike and the PNE negotiations — Arthur: was refeshingly honest. And as a result, the man deserves the sudden respect he's been getting. North Shore Family la YMCA NEWS Lucente KATRINA MACKAY makes a jump with the help of her mount Laddie when demonstrating horse jumping during the North Vancouver Esquestrian Centre's Open House. Horseshoe club players compete A GAME that was introduced to the island of Britain more than two thousand years ago by Roman conquerers is celebrating its fourth summer season on the North Shore. The North Shore. Horseshoe Club came to life in {988 on the site of the old Mahon Park swimming poo! with financing coming from a number of public and private sources. Since the club is affiliated with - the B.C. Horseshoe Association, members can participate in a number of tournaments that are held at one of the Association’s 26 clubs. And with a number of competitions in the U.S., players can compete almost every week- end from April to October, There are leagues set up at the Mahon Park club, ranging from novice to ‘A’ class, or you can just play for fun. This Saturday the ..club | i hosting the North Shore Opes Horseshoe Tournament,’ an event © that will include - throwers - from across B.C. and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Spectators are welcome. : Anyone interested in: ‘learning more can call Terry Robinson at 987-9740,