2 - Sunday, Januazy 8, 1989 - West Vancouver Villager Financial statements iliustrate the rising prosperity of W. Vancouver ALL MUNICIPALITIES must publish an official Financial Statement. It is a legal document actually, with the finances of the municipality duly audited by chartered accountants. In West Vancouver's early years these reports were small, terse booklets. There was a reason. The newly-formed municipality in 1912 did not have an easy time — sad- dled with debt, services to install, a depression. It was a desperate fi- nancial struggle. By 1927 the population had risen to 8,000; taxes collected $126,000; arrears $23,000; bank loan unpaid $35,000; cash in bank at end of year, $527. It was the improving economy, community development successes and better financial statistics in later years that brought the Annual Report to life. By 1987 the population was 37,704; taxes collected $30.6 mil- lion; a surplus of $3.5 million at the end of the year and $78,000 in the bank plus investments of $18.9 million. The earlier ‘financial report . echoed the municipality's rising . prosperity in the .decades after 1940 with a banker's conservative “approach, the mark of the times. In recognition of the need to beiter communicate events, suc- cesses, aspirations and visions for the community, in 1986 the Finan- cial Report became the Annual Report. Et dropped its conservative man- tle for a magazine format that utilized striking graphics, old and new photos and ‘new age’ editorial copy with such subject titles as What We Are, Who We Are, Departmental Reports and Beyond 1986. It is this last section, Beyond 1986, = want to talk about today — a look at some of our forecasts and hopes and how they fared over the past two years. The excerpts, in italics, are taken from the Annual Report and my comments follow. FIRE DEPARTMENT “A major focus of ihe Fire Department will be to propose the development of a central Upper Levels fire hall. This would reduce ‘response time and provide addi- tional fire ang rescue resources for . emergencies."’ The site has been identified — the Westmount . area above the . Upper Level: -— and the necessary property acquisition is under way. This will be a very expensive development, in the $2.5 million range. Because of its central loca- tion it will serve the entire municipality. West Vancouver fire hall #1 at 16th and Fulton will re- main our major fire hall. In conjunction with protection services, we are working with other municipalities to implement the 911 emergency number. on so long, but we are told it is a complicated procedure. At present Richmond and Vancouver are the ew The Court House West : has now: re-opened and will provide { its members with first class recreation facilities. - only two areas in the Lower Mainland with this service. MEMORIAL LIBRARY ‘‘A tremendous . amount of; energy must be harnessed if an ad- dition ta the Memorial Library is to be constructed in 1991. The need for action is immediate. Tne library has founded the West Van- couver Memorial Library Founda- tion to seek out financial sources for this exciting and necessary ex- pansion.*’ ne FROM 'THE vi volved i in the building and an army “of dedicated West Vancouver resi- dents made sure the goals were met. I know the same generosity will build this major expansion. PARKS/RECREATION “In future plans we are aiming our emphasis on adult recreation, parks and playing fields above the Upper Levels. °’ “The Ambleside-by-the-Sea pro- ject, under way since the mid-'70s, will assist with the economic MAYOR’S CHAIR Council! has approved a cost-: sharing plan with the Fourdation: whereby we contribute $400,000 in each of the first three years and dolla: for dollar cost-sharing up to $406,000 in cach of the next three yeass. The intention is for the ¥oundation to raise the balance, “about $1.75 million. ‘ [| am sure many of us can recall It is frustrating to have this drag. the public support that produced the Memorial Library in 1950. The moucy was raised in a recession, professional volunteers were in- cluti-z.of buses, the old groynes . unable to protect the _ bathing beach. Now we have Ambleside Landing, a pier anchored by new gtoynes, a landscaped plaza and new fountain, designer light stan- dards and a brick-paved entrance down 14th Street. Other jewels will follow as the plan unfolds. The extension of the Seawalk is a top priority. Acquir- ing the waterfront properties nec- essary is the present stumbling block. We own 19 of the 32 resi- dential properties now representing nearly 80 per cent of all the land between I4th and 18th Streets south of the B.C. Rail. - When we have the rest, . the Seawalk commencing at Dun- darave Pier (the last block between Ath and 25th Streets was com- ‘ pleted this year) will be continuous if stability of the business communi- ty.”” ‘ These two short excerpts pin- point major leaps in West Van- couver’s park: plans and ac- complishments. The master park plan will be tabled in- January spelling out the need for property acquisition and iocation of pro- parks above the Upper Levels. At last a visible, signpost in the Ambleside-by-the-Sea plan — Ambleside Landing... Gone are the through Ambleside Park, along Capilano River Walkway to the Cleveland Dam. A number of these successes came about as a result of the selflessness of citizens of West Vancouver; people who gave up their littoral rights so the seawalk could be built, donations and be- quests for Ambleside Landing and untold voluntary services hours. To those who have given so much, on behalf of your community, thank you for your generosity. To each of you may I extend my sincerest wish for health and pro- sperity in 1989 and may we work together in the new year to main- tain our unique and blessed West Vancouver lifestyle. 1 i ° = —_a . > Ss ° 7 tennis courts (4 indoor courts avail. Feb. 89) 7 racquetball courts & 6 international squash courts Ice arena — skating & hockey Free weights and exercise equipment Tanning room Masseuse (by appointment) 3 Saunas & Jacuzzi ih bl 7 da ‘ Licensed lounge — open to the public ys a week Convenient parking, Full Banquet facilities . can Lessons ‘and programs ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS Single adult - all sports: Adult couple (including school age children) - all Sports Junior member - all sports Single‘adult — squash & racquetball Adult couple — squash & racquetball (incl Students — squash & racquetball " “Membership will be limited” ¢ incl. school ace ciléren) THE E COURT HOUSE WEST 2035 Fullerton Ave., North Vancouver _ Telephone (604) 987-1100