Versati $136.17

RECENTLY released 1986 financial statements from Van- couver’s Versatile Corp. showing operating losses of more than double those of the previous year will not affect its subsidiary Versatile Pacific Shipyards bid to secure the $320 million Polar Class 8 icebreaker contract, says David Alsop.

The president of the North Van- couver-based shipyard, said Tues- day, “It (the loss) is really ail behind us now. Hopefully things are going to get better. They couldn't get any worse."”

Versatile Corp. announced a $136.1 million lo’s from opera- tions in 1986, which is more than double the corporation’s $60.9 million loss in 1985.

The corporation also fost $58.5 million on the 1986 sale of Ver- satile Vickers Inc. and cold storage operations in Eastern Canada.

Versatile reported the 1985 and 1986 losses resulted primarily from weaknesses in agricultural opera-

lews’ subscr

to

in pri

By TIMOTHY RENSHAW News Reporter

tions, losses from its Eastern Ca- nadian marine operations and the drop in world market prices for gas and oil products.

3°

make Versatile Pacific a separate financial entity from its corporate parent.

On March 2, the federal gov- ermment announced its intention to negotiate the Polar 8 contract with Versatile Pacific. The letter of in- tent contained a number of technical and financial require- ments that must be met by Ver- satile before the icebreaker con- tract will be finalized.

Earlier this month, Versatile an- nounced its intention to negotiate

“Hopefully things are going to get better. They couldn’t

get any worse.”’

Alsop has said the corporation's Jan. 31 sale of its Eastern Cana- dian shipyards and other marine operations to Montreal's Marine Industries Ltd. is part of the fi- nancial reorganization that will

TRAVEL, groceries and a dinner for two were the first prizes won in what will be over $25,000 in merchandise and services given away during the May 15 to June I5 North Shore News voluntary subscription campaign.

Longtime News subscriber Ken Neveroski won the top prize of a two-day, three-night trip for two to San Francisco in the campaign's present subscriber prize draw.

The 45-year-old engineering technician said, ‘‘I was floored Friday when I found out. My wife and [| had never thought about visiting San Francisco before, but | think it will be fun.”’

Neveroski, a North Shore resi- dent for the past 30 years, has liv- ed with his wife Sheila in North Vancouver for the past four years. He said he has been a News subscriber ‘‘since the beginn- ing...because I like the paper.”’

Sheila Neveroski said the tele- phone call announcing their win came on the eve of the couple’s wedding anniversary.

The Neveroski's trip will be ar- ranged through Marlin Travel.

Second prize of a two-minute shopping spree at Stong’s Market went to Lions Gate Hospital nurse Shirley Cornthwaite and her hus- band Eric, while third prize ofa dinner for two at Cafe Roma was won by Joan Kehler, a retired jew-

elry store manager, and her hus- band Waiter.

In addition to prizes for current News subscribers, the newspaper's subscription campaign will provide prizes ranging from lunch with Doug Collins to a week-long Alaskan cruise for new subscribers, and a host of mer- chandise and financial rewards for News carriers, their parents and newspaper zone managers.

During the campaign, readers will be asked to take out a volun- tary $25 one-year North Shore News subscription. In return, they will receive two free classified ads, worth $18, and be placed in the running for close to $6,500 in new subscriber prizes. Anycne who chooses not to subscribe will con- tinue to receive the News every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Carriers will receive $2 for every new subscription they sign up and be eligible for carrier prizes that include a grand prize trip for three to Disneyland, worth an estimated $1,500, or an Abso XLT Turbo Home Computer, with an estimated retail value of $1,945.

Versatile Pacific President David Alsop

the design of the Polar 8 with the Polar Icebreaker Canadian Design Group, a Western Canadian con- sortium headed by Sandwell Swan Wooster Inc.

Completion of those negotia-

NEWS photo Tom Burley

bers

zes, trips

Third prize is a $1,050 Technics stereo, donated by the Future Shop.

Consolation prizes for carriers include trips aboard Helijet Air- ways helicopters, cash, Wood- ward’s mountain bikes and ski and skyride tickets from Grouse Mountain Resorts.

Carriers’ parents wil! be eligible for prizes ranging from a trip to Parksville, two-minute Stong‘s shopping sprees and landscaping and housekeeping serv.ces.

The -grand prize for new subscribers will be a one-week Alaskan cruise for two aboard a Holland America luxury liner. Estimated value of the prize is $4,590.

Other prizes include house cleaning services, Stong’s shopping sprees, brass table lamps and a weekend at the Park Royal Hotel, complete with breakfast, cham- pagne and a four-course dinner.

For those with an appetite for the controversial, new subscribers could win a lunch with either Bob Hunter or Doug Collins.

New subscribers could also win a sailing trip with News publisher Peter Speck aboard his 47-foot Talofa Lee sailboat.

All prizes will be drawn at the end of the subscription campaign.

3 - Wednesday, May 13, 1987 - North Shore News

a i tions, which Alsop said is very clase, is a major part of the first stage of the federal goveriment’s two-stage Polar 8 contracting pro- cess,

According to the letter of intent, the design, along with a proposal and offer to construct the Polar 8, must be completed within nine months from the issuance of the Jetter.

Alsop said the current Versatile workforce is about 300. Earlier this year the shipyard laid off 37 per cent of its office staff and about 500 of its 600 Marine Workers and Soilermakers In- dustrial Union tradesmen,

The shipyard, he said, was still completing the $92 million Henry Larsen, which is scheduled for final launch in July, and is close to securing ‘“‘a fairly significant” repair contract for two recently damaged freighters.

HIGH SCHOOL students replaced elected officials and municipal administration Mon- day night for a quick Jesson in civic government, The exercise was part of Local Government Awareness Week activities. West Vancouver council, North Vancouver District council and the West Vancouver School Board all held junior council meetings. dunior clerk Steve Oliver and junior manager Joan Stobbs, left’, look over the proceedings at Monday night's North Vancouver District council meeting, while Mayor Marilyn Baker (background) gives student stand-in Mike Depfyffer « couple of mayoral- ty pointers. Related stories in this issue: Junior council ap- proves dog bylaw in NV District, page 4; NV District junior council, page 8; WV District junior council, page 10;

“WY School Board, page 10;

Local Government Awareness Week stories, page 14.

Org. announces Seymour R.

claims NV man’s fife

A NORTH VANCOUVER man drowned in Seymour River after his canoe overturned Saturday.

North Vancouver RCMP said 42-year-old Rodrigue Avon was alone in the canoe at the time of the accident at 6:50 p.m. Avon was a non-swimmer. who was nol wearing a lifejacket. at the time. Po,

Police said Avon’s son-in-law managed to bring him to shore and begin CPR. He was tater assisted by Emergency Health Service altendants.

Avon was tushed to. Lions Gate Hospital, but was dead on arrival, : i a.

Avon worked as a welder since 1972 at’ Allied. Ship- builders Limited tn North Van- couver,

Weather:

Wednesday, cloudy with rain. Thursday, mostly sunny. Highs near 17° C.

Business ...... Classified Ads. .

Doug Collins...

Comics . .

Editorial Page.

Bob Hunter... Lifestyles ...... Mailbox............ Sports............. 18 TV Listings.........48 What's Going Gn....35

NEWS photo Stuart Davis

SHEILA Neveroski (left) received a trip for two to San Francisco from News Subscription Supervisor Mark Warner on Monday. Neveroski and husband Ken won the first prize for present News subscribers as part of over $25,000 in merchandise and services that will be given away in the newspaper's voluntary subscription campaign.

Zone managers will be eligible for a grand prize, three-night, two-day trip for two to the West Edmonton Mall, complete with deluxe accommodation and $250 spending money.

Other zone manager prizes in- clude a side of beef, a two-minute Stong’s shopping spree and a 15-

minute tour for four aboard a Helijet Airways helicopter.

News Subscription supervisor Mark Warner said the subscription drive is designed to help the over 900 News carriers earn extra money and prizes, and to help them get to know their 54,700 res- idential customers in North and West Vancouver.