3 - Sunday, October 30, 1988 — Lynn Valley Echo Proposed winter club tower gets support from seniors IN AN EMOTIONAL plea, seniors beseeched North Van- couver District Council to save the North Shore Winter Club and approve construction of a controversial proposed residential highrise. “Seniors don’t want to be lock- ed away in areas where they can hear a leaf drop; they want to be near the hustle and bustle of the city,” John Knight of 1473 E. 20th Street told council at a packed public hearing Oct 24. joy a better quality of life,”’ said’ Price. The North Shore Winter Club has applied to North Vancouver District Council to re-zone the fa- photo Tom Suriey JOHN KNIGHT speaks up for seniors at the recent North Vancouver District public hearing on the proposed high-rise development on the North Shore Winter Club site. The mostly seniors who attended Monday’s public hearing sent a strong message to council that they favor the proposed highrise, saying seniors housing is badly needed in the district. Jim Price, a ‘West Vancouver resident who said he would move into the complex, talked of the loneliness seniors. suffer living alone. ‘. “Active seniors want the com- pany of others where they | can en- COME DOWN HOME FOR | SOME UPTOWN COUNTRY cility’ S cnisting C-5 zoning {allow- ing commercial and entertainment usage) to comprehensive develop- ment zoning. The club wants to build an 18- storey residential tower for seniors and expand recreation facilities to include a new ice rink, at a total cost of $27 million. Among those. who spoke in favor of the project was North Vancouver’s Olympic silver medal- ist ‘and world figure skating cham- AT THE LYNNWOOD INN We feature LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Thursday, Friday and Saturday, GREAT SERVICE and GOOD TIMES! FREE BINGO ON SUNDAYS 5:30-7:30 Main Street and Mountain Highway . 988-6161 _ pion Karen Magnussen, who cred- ited her early success to the Winter Club. “Of it wasn’t for the Winter Club, my career probably wouldn't have been possible,’’ she said. “Why not set a precedent and add housing for the elderly?" Magnussen asked. The Winter Club has suffered financial difficulties over the years, carrying a $3 million debt as of October 1986. Winter Club general manager Bernie Asbell said transfer of the club’s ownership to the Burnaby- based Cooperators. Development Corporation hinges on a successful re-zoning bid. CDC plans to lease the club back to the club under a 95-year lease. If council rejects the ap- plication, the club may not be able to survive, he said. “It's a 30-year-old facility and expensive to maintain,’’ said Asbell. But North Vancouver resident Clive Taylor said approval of the project would amount to a bailout of the club. “It’s bloody ridiculous. This sort of non-conforming housing does not make sense. All 1 can see here is 2 bailout for the North Shore Winter Club, and political _and financial pressure.”* Taylor, like a few others who at- tended the: hearing fear, ‘‘The Mountain Highway Keith Road junction is ‘going to be a horror show”? if the project goes ahead. Municipal planner Kai Kreuchen said the planning department has major rescrvations about the development, especially since the area lacks an official community pian. “Our biggest concern is that this will create a demand for similar developments in the area. If we are going to consider them then we must set guidelines," said Kreuchen. The City of North Vancouver has already stated its opposition to the project. North Vancouver architect Graham Crockart, the project's designer, said the number of suites has been reduced from 216 to 209, and that the height of the structure would only be 175 feet above the grade. He added a traffic study showed the project's impact on the area would be minimal. Peter Fentimen, president of the North Shore Winter Club, urged council to make a decision no later than Nov. 14 if hockey and curling rinks are to be ready by next fall. The hearing was adjourned to Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. A special council meeting will follow. Rae Jewellery Designer in Lynn Valley aext to the Royal Bank CLOSING OUT UP TO 60% OFF LAYAWAYS FOR CHRISTMAS 14K Gold .25 ct Diamond Regularly 1250 Sale $750 987-4322 Lynn Valley Centre at Mountain Hwy. Approx 1914. What is your sroperty worth today?) Call me WOLF WICHMAN for a Complimentary Market Evaluation Wolf Wichman 984-9711 Courtesy of North Shore Archives & Museum. 14K Gold .50 ct Diamond Regularly *4650 Sale $2790 987-1322