December 26, }9k% News 985-2131 Classified 986-6222 YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1969 Mews takes you to the movies THE NORTH Shore News ix now publishing locat aad Vancouver movie listing advertisements from Cineplex Odeon and Famous Players. You can check the movie ads every Friday in the News’ Entertainment section for easy access to the latest feature films playing at theatres over the holidays. Look for today’s listings on page 26, DA Aaa. ere ITE AS epee 3 paape 98 Distribution 986-1337 32 pages 25¢ EEE pena renee THE AWARDING of the $350-million contract for the Polar Ctass 8 icebreaker has been delayed until January, says North Vancouver-Burnaby MP Chuck Cook. Cook said Tuesday deputy prime minister, Don Mazankowski told him awarding the icebreaker con- tract would be put on hold until the first week in January. “The anticipation was that a decision would) be made and through cabinet by Dec. 20."" said Cook. ‘But when we'll get a deci- sion now | don’! know."’ A packed cabinet agenda was likely the reason the decision was delayed, Cook speculated. That’, my suspicion. You pick up suspt- cions from cabinet.” Of three bidders, Versatile Pacific’s tender was lowest, but the governmeat has delayed awarding the contract until the local com- pany's troubled parent firm Ver- satile Corp. gets its financial house in order. Versatile Pacific president Dave Alsop said Tuesday the financial problems were being resolved and that he is confident Versatile would win the contract. The sale of some of Versatile Corp.’s eastern assets will prop up the troubled firm after the failed sale of the company’s farm ma- chinery division, he said. “The sale of the (company's? eastern shipyards still has not clos- ed yet,’* Alsop said. “Basically we're trying to con- solidate our financia) position,”’ he said, noting three castern-based Versatile Corp. firms are presently on the market. Recently, Premier Bill Vander Zaim said Ottawa might delay the awarding of the contract in- definitely in order not to offend either the West or the East. But Alsop said he has been un- able to find out where the premier got the news. Weather: Friday and Saturday, cloudy with periods of rain. Highs near 8° C. “Classified Ads... “Editorial Page. - Horoscope... . | By STEPHEN BARRINGTON News Reporter [en “My sources indicate if we can tespond to the government's re- quirements (of financial stability) we have a very good chance of get- ting the contract.”’ And Vander Zaim has also in- dicated the provincial government will underwrite a performance bond for the company, Alsop said. “He would do it if necessary.” The anrount of the bond has not been discussed and Alsop stressed the move does not amount to the provincial government pouring money into the strapped firm. “We need someone to co-sign the note," said Alsop. who added the company’s present financial problems are stopping the firm from posting the bond itself. Versatile Pacific will launch the class four icebreaker Henry Larsen Jan. 3, marking one of the last shipbuilding contracts the company has on its books. “We have still got some repair work and some industrial work,”’ Alsop said. An icebreaker such as the Polar 8 would be the largest in Canada and would be able to cut through eight feet of new polar ice at a speed of three knots. Ottawa announced the contract after an American coast guard ship affronted Canadian sovereignty by travelling ihe Northwest Passage without permission. Three firms — North Van- couver’s Versatile Pacific Ship- yards, Versatile Davie in Quebec and Saint John Shipbuilding in New Brunswick — have bid on the ship. INDEX Doug Collins... Bob Hunter... NEWS photo Tom Burlay Fall from grace NIKKI WHYTE offers a2 moment of quiet encouragement and heartfelt consolation to fellow gymnast Kathy Udorovic after Udorovic took a fall from ihe balance beam at a recent gymnastic meet at the North Vancouver Recreation Centre. The two were among dozens of gymnasts competing at the Dec. 21 B.C. Gym Meet. Mailbox....... Movie Listings. Real Estate.... Table Hopping. . TV Listings... .. What's Going On.