5

-§969-1994 THE VOI

‘inside
the news

homes
a Weekly Real Estate
saction: 29-48

@ Heritage lock at the
Taylor House: 13

A Auto
a Xmas Calendar........23
Wi Chausified..neonn23
H Inside Stories........11
iS North Shore Alert.....8
: r Sunshine Girl...

arts”

‘ . é
@ More than just pretty
Pictures: 41 . ;
Complete TV listings —
for the weekend: 16-17

Weather .
-.. Saturday: rain, windy.”
“a. High 9°C, low 5°C.

5

T VANCOUVER

Mah

TOOTH TAX

Federal government is
proposing 2 new tax on
dental plan coverage.

‘

ng 980-0511

‘GUN LOBBY

Vocal group of firearm
enthusiasts denounce gun
ban proposal at meeting.

NEWS photo Terry Peters

THE COLD waters of Deep Cove don’t seem to bother Stephanie King (top) and Michel Chartrand as they prepare for the
annual New Year’s Day Penguin Plunge. The Panorama Park event will begin at noon and include ice sculpture demonstra-

tions, contestants’ prizes, live music and activities for children, Bathers
at 2 p.m. For more information, call 987-PLAY. i

are slated to dip their blue toes into the chilly water

Course costs up $1.5 million over original budget

THE CONTROVERSIAL Northlands
‘ golf course is expected to come in at
nearly $1.5 million over the initial $10.8
: budget partially due to changes in envi-
ronmental regulations, states a confi-
dential report.

By lan Noble
News Reporter

t

If North-Vancouver District Council supports
proceeding with the golf course under the new
estimates, a budget adjustment will have to be
made to the proposed 1995 and 1996 capital pro-
grams, the staff report states.

North Vancouver District Mayor Murray

Dykeman said he could not comment on .the
report because council has not dealt with the
_ issue. ,

He said that as a matter of council policy,
land-use and budgetary discussions are dealt
with in camera.

Dykeman said council will likely look at the
cost overruns in carly January.

The report from Northlands project manager

L.J. Craddock states that spending on the golf.

course, located near Mt. Seymour Parkway and
Mt. Seymour Road, has not yet exceeded overall

_ budget estimates.

However, site preparation work, including the
sedimentation control system and tree clearing,
will “clearly” exceed estimates by $1.15 million.

Several unforeseen problems were encoun-
tered in the excavation of ponds and building of
berms, risers, baffles and manholes to complete
the upper pond portion of the sedimentation con-
trol system. |

The infrastructure protects crecks from silta-
tion pollution during construction.

Sub-surface bedrock required blasting.

Ditching and culverting was required to chan-
nef water away from the construction areas, the
report said. ;

Such factors bumped the pond system con-
tracts from $337,000 to $450,000 and led to new
estimates for the lower ponds that are $320,060
higher than initial estimates.

‘The price tag for the sedimentation contro}
system is now $940,000, up $730,000 from the
earlier estimate of $210,000.

Changes to environmental regulations in the

early 1990s could net be calculated in the pre-":

liminary estimates, stated the report. “The size
and scope of environmental protection measures
were grossly underestimated.”

Tree clearing and grubbing of the fairways
are also expected to soar over initial estimates.
New estimates put the cost at $780,000,
$420,000. more than initial estimates’ of
$360,000. 0: .

A proposed double-row irrigation system and
a green-to-tee cart path wiliadd to the tab.

Golf course construction in the “current plan”
totals $6.655 million, $1.935 million over the
“concept plan budget” of $4.72 million. Well
drilling estimated at $400,000 has been scrapped
in the current plan.

The predicted budget shortfall for (994 and
1995 is $1.497 million. Total tab of current plan:
nearly $12.3 million.

Five extra lots on Anne. McDonald Way in the
Northlands development could add $1.15 million
to. the ‘development’s coffers and help. offset
course construction, said the report. , 7

Pussible reductions to bring the golf course in
on budget were not recommended as they would
make the course less durable.

au :

REACHING EVERY DOOR ON THE NORTH SHORE SINCE 1969