Wheat is your opinion on the demise of Versatile Pacific Ship- yards Inc. in North Vancouver?: “Considering the number of ships being built, their size, the stiff competition in modern ship- building yards, | believe .1 under- stand the decision taken. “Iam sorry to see the loss of such a major industry, not only as a significant employer on the North Shore, but the fact that this expertise _ and:\. skilled . workforce _ will soon disap; into part of Canada’s shipbuilding history. _#However,- 1 think that the _ Mucept of a ship repair facility. is "a Viable alternative to closing the “yard down completely.’” Prairie native heads marine training centre Broc Braconnier - In his own words Do you have different fee struc- tures for students outside of B.C.?: “No, for two reasons. “Since PMTI is providing upgrading training for all mariners west of Ontario, we do have some support from the federal govern- ment in the form of specialized equipment, and if you consider out-of-province candidates as temporary residenis of B.C., they too are contributing to the’ local. economy.’” What de you like to do to relax when you're not working?: ‘‘I do a fair number of activities around the house. “I do yard work and gardening. I do like to travel by driving into the Interior; I like to reiax that way. . “} haven't managed to get to it lately, but I like oil painting and drawing.” Are there any new programs planned for PMTI?: ‘We've always adapted to the require- ments from the industry. if they identify a need then we respond. We have to maintain that [lexibili- ty. “We have a few programs under development and we're also looking at other avenues. We're always looking at what the in- dustry’s needs are and then responding to that.’" Wishlist Auction will sell wide range of items for good cause THE: ‘CHILDREN’S. Wish Foundation will hold its fifth annual Wishlist Auction.on Thursday, Oct. 1 , in the Pan Pacific Hotel.. The fundraising auction is held each year to ‘enable the foundation to grant the wishes of chiidren with . life-threatening illnesses. , : Unlike the auctions of previous * which: have’ offered. | 7 bachelors up for bids as the focal , point of the event, this year's auc- .. : ‘years, tion: offeis a wide range ‘of packages | without .bachelors, as well as ‘‘escorted adventures,” /., anda silent auction. ‘This year’s honorary chairper- . 00," U-TV. sports director Paul .Carson, will act as master’ of cer- ~ emony for the auction. . “I'm excited to be involved and ‘look forward to helping the foun- “dation reach its goal of $60,000 at “the? auction,’’ ‘We're. serious about raising oney for the kids, but we're also -* $@rious about having -2. good time “> atthe auction.” - , _The 1991 auction raised more than $30,000.. Auction committee chairperson, Sarah “Andrews says she. hopes the ‘broader ‘appeal of ‘this year’s auction, with the inclu- ‘sion. of non-bachelor. packages, Carson said. will 1 enable the foundation to meet this year’s fundraising goal. - “The auction packages this year | should draw the interest of people who might not have been too keen ’. on bidding on a bachelor,’’ An- drews said. “Packages range from a trip to Hawaii, to a night on patrol- with members of the Vancouver Police Department, to a dinner with media personality and News col- umnist Joy Metcalfe.’’ The Children’s Wish Founda- tion of Canada is a federally chartered, non-profit organiza- tion, whose primary objective is to grant the special wishes of children suffering from a_ life- threatening illness. Since it was established in 1984, the foundation has: granted more than 2,100 wishes to children acress the country between the ages of three and 18, “Money raised through auction ATUBDAY Nigur ble ul | Beuky TEMS 76 TO You€ EVE. 7 wy QUE FABOLOUS THEE COURSE Dadlil ee, FO FBC ONLY S20 FEC PERSON "The Ondo Constuly i CE TISH HIM OI THAT LL / MOG YO LROGH Th You ce/- } a Lb AF MGRINE ROVE bhVAn! G92b6- F836 sales is used to grant wishes to children in B.C. Wishes granted by the foundation have included meetings with celebrity actors and athletes, family trips to Disneyland or Europe, or even things as simple as a Nintendo set or a stuffed animal. Tickets for $48.15 (including GST) and are available through the Children’s Wish Foundation office at 299- 2241. : the auction are. BROC BRACONNIER | may have been bom en the Prairies, but he. has deen sailing the high seas most of hie adult iife. a Nestled at the water's edge on Lake Harrison, Laguna Beach i is the weekend and vacation home you've dreamed about. * 90 luxury condominium homes, fully-equipped with major appliances. And all homes also come with a magnificent lake view — at no extra charge. Discover affordable luxury lakeside living at Laguna Beach. Just 1'/ hours from downtown seq, Vancouver (and only 2'/ hours from Seattle). AS Priced from $116,000. Arrange an appo intent to view the exciting Laguna - i SERVIEW Beach Condominium complex. Call 796-3532. Out of town, (604) 540-7576 toll free. On-site sales office open itam fo 5 pm daily, Sat.-Wed. Realtors welcome.