Shipyard wins $9M contract:
Burrard Yarrows was given a $9-million contract to convert the Princess of Vancouver ferry from a stern-loading to bow-and-stern-loading vessel. Originally built in Glasgow in 1955 the B.C. government acquired the ship from Canadian Pacific to operate the run from Powell River to Comox on Vancouver Island. Among other changes the existing upper car deck was converted into a midship lounge with seating for 384 people.
Troller Pub launches brewery:
Touted as the first of its kind in Canada West Vancouver council adopted a zoning bylaw amendment to allow Round Table Enterprises to brew in-house draught beer at the Troller Pub in Horseshoe Bay. The cottage brewery would produce 400 gallons per week but was restricted to selling the beer by the glass.
Lighting the way:
Last of their kind, Point Atkinson Lighthouse keeper Jerry Watson and his assistant Don Graham were profiled in the Living section. The two men lived in Lighthouse Park with their families maintaining the Point Atkinson Lighthouse which had begun operation in 1874. The West Vancouver landmark had been a beacon for safe passage to ships in and out of Vancouver harbour for 107 years at that point. When the North Shore News visited the men they had just begun their tenures at the Burrard Inlet post in 1980. The two families would remain there until 1996 when the lighthouse operation was automated.
Theatre groups honoured:
The three North Shore municipal councils declared March 6 to 14 Community Theatre Week with Deep Cove Stage presenting Tennessee Williams’ Small Craft Warnings!, directed by Don MacLean, at the Deep Cove Community Hall. Tickets $4. Due to the subject matter the play was not considered suitable for children.
North Vancouver tops in garbage:
North Vancouver District council was told in a report by the engineering department their garbage collection was 12 per cent cheaper than if it was collected by a private contractor. Collection fees ($38.97 per household) would be even cheaper if three-man crews were reduced to two.
Trustees axing three NV schools:
Closing Cloverley Eementary, North Star Elementary and Hamilton Junior Secondary schools would save $1 million a year said the North Vancouver School Board. Enrolment at North Van schools was expected to drop from 16,530 to 13,240 by 1985. Hamilton, built for 900 students, was expected to have 300 in 1985. The school board recommended merging with Carson Graham and adding Grades 8 through 10 students to the school. Carson Graham had dropped from 1,500 to 1,043 and could go as low as 600 without the changes suggested. North Star students would move to Larson and Braemar.
