Classitieds 986- 6222 Office, Editorial 985-2131 North Vancouver man seeks damages from purchasers in Lynnwood Marina deal A NORTH Vancouver Man who organized the sale of Lynnwood Marina two years ago is claiming $328,000 in damages from the group who subsequently purchased the marina. To press time, a four-day trial had been set to start Sept. 3 in B.C. Supreme Court, Named in the suit as defendants are marina investors Gerry Blair, Lou Blair, rock promoter Bruce Allen, Roger Gibson, William McEachnie, 365904 B.C, Lid. and Lynawood Industrial Estates (LIE) Lid. Harold Locke, a salesman with Mount Seymour Yacht Siles, claims that he had an agreement with Harry Powell, the North Vancouver marina's previous owner, that he would receive a 6% finder’s fee from the mvarina’s sale and purchase price. The finder’s fee was to be paid by the purchaser. Locke claims that we was also to take on a five-year management contract to manage the LIE-owned and operated marina. Said Locke, *‘] knew Harry was sick — he had cancer. | have cancer and I was in the hospital the same time he was. So we discussed this place (the ma’: and | totd him | didn’t have the money to buy it, but give me an option and maybe | can put 2 dei! together for a finder’s fee or be a participant."” Locke claims that he worked on selling the marina for about two years. “Harry didn’t think he was go- ing to die. He said, ‘If we get a price, I'll sell! it.’ So Harry wasn’t the one pushing to sell it. I wasn't listed on the open market,” he said. Locke said he wrapped up a Coal Harbour-based yacht sales business in 1987, in anticipation of eventually working at) Lynn- wood Marina as manager. He de- veloped a new concept for the marina, dubbed Belaire Yacht Club. The plan incorporated a water- side restaurant and pub, the loca- tion of approximately 230 boat houses at the site and a drive- through car wash for the use of tenants. Locke ever caly connected with a Texan group interested in’ pur- chasing the marina. But the deal fell through. In March of 1989, Strategic In- dustries Inc. of Dallas, Texas an- nounced the acquisition of the marina for $2.8 million, subject to regulatory approval. By Michael Becker News Reporter The Lynnwood property to be bought by Strategic included a 30-year sub-lease with a 60-year option on approxunately 20 hee- tares (49.40 acres) of water and land along the harbor. The land is owned by the Squamish Indian Band: the water rights are leased from the Van- couver Port Corp. At the time of the purchase an- nouncement, the marina property reportedly produced about $1.2 million in revenue per year. But said Locke, t the hast moment their (Strategzic’s) money didn't come through. | had known Gerry (Lynnwood marina manazer and former car salesman Gerry Blair) and he said he wanted it. The LIE group bought the marina for $2.8 million. The saic was completed Oct. 1, 1989 and Gerry Blair took on = marina management duties. Locke suys he is still owed $53,000 of the $168,000) finder’s fee. He is also claiming $275,000 for an alleged breach of a management contract. But a month after the marina sale, Locke signed a Jetter acknowledging receipt of $90,000 (in addition to $25,000 already received) as full payment for all fees and services. But Locke’s lawyer Michael Morrow alleges the waiver signed by Locke is not valid because it was signed under physical and mental duress imposed, according to Locke’s statement of claim, by Gerry Blair. Meanwhile liability has denied by the defendants. While acknowledging that there was an agreement made that Locke be paid the $168,000 find- er’s fee after facilitating the pur- chase of the marina, the group denies that any agreement was made to take on Locke as marina manager. The defendants allege the $115,000 received by Locke as full and complete settlement of all amounts owed to him was ac- cepted by Locke ‘‘voluntarily and without physical or mental duress by Blair as alleged or at all.’’ been Robert Clothier Now spotlight: 27 Display Advertising 980-0511 Distribution 986-1337 "NEWS photo Stuart Davis CLOWNING AT THE QUAY: Sand Northrup (as Filetta Fish) gets some help from a ycung girl as she balances on a unicycle. Sand’s antics were part of the entertainment at an afternoon outdoor show last Sunday at Lonsdale Quay. The Quay is hosting a series of Sunday afternoon concerts throughout the summer.