3 - Friday, January 23, 1987 - North Shore News WV PARK PROPOSAL Residents demand shoreline access Weather: Cloudy with showers Friday. Rain Saturday and Sunday. Highs 7°C. Lows 2C. mtr ATE i ney Rosas ae THE PROPOSED Ambie- side-by-the-Sea development has spawned many dreams and schemes, but local residents were united against the encroachment of commer- cialism on their waterfront. A public hearing to discuss ideas for the Ambleside shoreline Tuesday attracted well over 200 residents, most of whom were adamantly against the idea of allowing a restaurant or cafe to set up business at the end of a new 14th Street pier. Others were concerned about the possible loss of the existing boat launch ramp, while some pushed for more decisive action from council. Discussion of the Ambleside-by-the- Sea development dates back a decade, with the origins of the plan going back 30 years. Starting in the early 1950s, Ambleside Park, John Lawson Park and the Seawalk between 24th and 18th Streets were created. Having decided in 1975 to extend the Seawalk east to 14th, West Van- couver District Council has acquired 14 more properties, with 18 remain- ing privately owned. Most recently, the bus depot on the waterfront was relocated. Since then, municipal staff have come up with more ideas for the Ambleside-by-the-Sea area. The ex- tended Seawalk could at times ineander away from the shareline to increase interest and protect beaches, A new pier could be constructed bet- ween the foot of I4th and [Sth Streets, a civic square at the foot of 1Sth and a large plaza with a foun- tain at the foot of l4th. Park area would be enlarged, an area of prime concern to most people at Thesday’s hearing. “Please stop trying (to save parkland) and do it,”” Dr. Marlene Hunter told West Van District Council. ra MAYOR DON LANSKAIL...only the first step in a long program. Capt. Murell of the Ambleside- Dundarave Ratepayers called for parkland to be ‘‘dedicated,’’ not just “designated’’ parkland. . A recent informal polling at the foot of 14th netted nearly 400 signatures against any commercial development in the area. **There is very little public water- front, open space in West Vancouver or on the North Shore ... West Vancouver has an ample variety of ‘ pi agTaCN tee Unis" BUT TS NEWS photo Mike Wakelleld CST. MIKE Elliott of the North Vancouver RCMP marks a pair of skis as part of the local Ski Watch program, established to try and “prevent crime. Residents are welcome to have their skis engraved with their licence plate number Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. up Grouse .Mountain, across from the ski check. Traffic disrupted on Capilano upgrades CONSTRUCTION of a $4.9 million water improvement project along Capilano Road in North Vancouver, which began Jan. 21, is expected to disrupt traffic during the estimated four months it will take to complete. Greater Vz.couver Regional District (GVRD) superintendent of operations Hans Krause said Wednesday a 78-inch water main will .be installed. along. Capilano. . By TIMOTHY RENSHAW News Reporter . Road, from Marine Drive to ‘Edgemont Boulevard and will help. . . He. added ..that. the. GVRD -has....._Between Garden. Avenue.and the « oress.-t.. pt te testaurants bordering Bellevue. Do we need another?" asked Elaine Fonseca of the ratepayers. Fonseca submitted a list of more than 30 restaurants in the Ambleside- Dundarave area — exclusive of fast food outlets and delis. Bill, Irwin, president of the Ambleside Village Business Association said that the group has called) for park dedication of menicipally acquired lands —~ with no commercial development, whatsoever, south of the railway tracks. Irwin said that the district: was “talking with a forked tongue,” if they were negotiating against com- mercial development by the Indian Band on their waterfront area, and yet considering commercial uses at Ambleside. Former Ald. Doreen Blackburn agreed: ‘‘West Vancouver is a jewel ... the kind of place that people come to to escape the places that have been ruined. Why put up buildings?"’ she wondered. Thomas Abele, representing West Van’s Chez Michel Restaurant, argued that a restaurant on the new pier could be a view ‘‘object”’ rather than a view ‘‘obstacle,’’ while in- creasing the shoreline. Gordon Clark of the West Van- couver Chamber of Commerce also thought that wise commercial development in the area could stimulate activity. “But we recommend a com- prehensive parking and traffic study prior to decisions being made on the INDEX Classified Ads.......23 Doug Collins Editorial Page........6 Home & Garden......11 development of the waterfront,”” he added. Writer David Adamis of the North Shore Fish and Game Club was one of those emphasizing the need to preserve the small boat ramp. One gentleman pointed out that there were only these 10 feet of boat ramp for the 10 miles of coastline in West Vancouver. “Put in a decent launch ramp,” suggested Vic Hugh, who referred to the current facility as a ‘‘dangerous piece of concrete,’’ and a “‘disgrace."’ In response to a request for building up of the beach, Parks and Recreation director Frank Kurucz announced that new rock groins were being planned to protect the beaches from erosion. Bernard Holt of the W.V. Museum and Historical Society, ask- ed that the old bus shelter (formerly a ferry terminal) be turned over to his group for public displays. Argyle Avenue resident Terry Frewer, who has been ‘‘living under Per aaact HOLLYBURN Country Club is preparing to host the most prestigious international team tennis event ever to be held in Canada. By MAUREEN CURTIS Contributing Wt Although it is some months until the 1987 Sederation Cup NEC Tour- nament, July 26 to Aug. 2, plans are well underway to welcome the cream of the women’s tennis world. “It will be an opportunity to view the finest women’s tennis players in the world,’’ tournament manager Tor Bengston told West Vancouver District Council at Monday’s meeting. West Vancouver District agreed to lend the use of its 75th anniversary logo to the promotion of the $1.8 million NEP(Nippon Electrics Corp). tournament which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. According to Bengston, federation officials are extremely happy with the choice of the Hollyburn Coun- iV improve water pressure and water supply to North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Vancouver and Rich- mond. “The existing pipe was installed around 1932,’’ Krause said. ‘‘And it’s just not big enough now, so some problems arise in summer during peak (water) demand.” try Club. “It's a beautiful club. The loca- tion is phenomenal,’’ Bengston declared. The tournament will be attended by the four top women tennis players from more than 40 countries — in- cluding, hopefully, world champions Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert Lloyd. ‘‘You’re in for a treat when you see these people in action,” Bengston said. Canada’s representatives will not be named until April, although last year’s team included B.C.’s Helen Kelesi. Tournament sponsor NEC is put- ting up the $350,000 in prize money plus accommodation for the players. Hollyburn won out as tournament host against competition from the University of British Columbia. A temporary viewing court bow! to seat Horoscopes . Bob Hunter. . Mailbox.... TV Listings.........21 What's Going On.....22 the shadow of this plan”’ said he has been putting off repairs to his home, because it is one of the homes yet to be acquired by the municipality. He was one of those who called for a quicker decision regarding the Ambleside plan. Hoilyburn Sailing Club is also unhappy with uncertain- ty of its future tenure of the waterfront. But assistant clerk Greg Betts told the media that the process would likely continue to be a slow one. “This is only the first step in a long program,"’ declared Mayor Don Lanskail at the end of the public hearing. . A new staff report summarizing the concerns expressed at the hear- ing will now be prepared for coun- cil’s consideration. These concerns might be sum- marized by the words spoken at the hearing by Ellen Milligan, who remembers when the North Shore was only accessible by ferry: ““West Vancouver, stay aS sweet as you are.’’ 6,000 people will be constructed at the club. In addition, there will be a back up court seating an additional 1,500. About 50 games will be played at the tournament. Some of the preliminary matches will take place at the co-hosting West Vancouver Tennis Club. Some 120 ‘‘ball-boys” and ‘‘ball girls,’ over 100 officials and 600 to 700 volunteers will be required to keep things running smoothly. Over 100 media personnel are ex- pected to attend. “We hope to put on a show you'll never forget,’’ predicted Bengston. Hollyburn Country Club president Margaret Worthy and West Van Tennis Ciub president Cmdr. Philip Booth both expressed their en- thusiasm for the project. “You have our best wishes,’’ said Ald, Mark Sager, assuring tourna- ment personnel of the district’s will- ingness to cooperate in facilitating the event. ater syste Upper Levels Highway construc- tion will start at 9 a.m. on week-: already installed new pipe from the Capilano reservoir to Edgemont and from Marine Drive to Burrard Inlet. “So this is really the missing link,’’ Krause said. The new pipe being installed is welded steel and will replace the old main’s concrete pipe. days. In other areas along Capilano it will start at 8:30 a.m. A minimum single-lane traffic will be maintained in the direction of peak traffic flow where excava- tion and pipe-laying are in prog-