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â-  ' Following on the heels of our newsletter story, "The House That Gertrude Built", comes the disclosure that the home, which Miss Lawson wished to be preserved as public property (but failed to stipulate in her will), has been sold to a developer for $1.2 million. Municipal Manager, Terry Lester, had been authorized to counter with an offer of $750,000.00. Before Council could be consulted as to the possibility of a larger offer, however, the beneficiaries had accepted the developer’s offer. For the sake of those who, for one reason or another, missed Maureen Curtis's article in the April 30th issue of the North Shore News, the following will put you in the picture. "Considering that something might occur to upset the deal, council consulted local ratepayers and business groups Tuesday night as to whether they would support the expenditure of $1.2 million to save the Lawson house, and perhaps incorporate it into a civic centre complex that might be built up a-round the municipal hall area. Ratepayers groups, according to the representatives attending Tuesday, were doubtful as to whether $1.2 million in municipal funds should be spent to save the property if the opportunity should arise." There followed a number and variety of suggestions in the ensuing discussion. The Ambleside/Dundarave Ratepayers spokesman stated that, "We're in favor of acquiring land if it could be used as part of a civic centre - but not purely as a so-called heritage home." From the British Properties Association, members thought the price too high but one member expressed regret at the potential loss of another heritage landmark in the community. Jill Shipman of the Horseshoe Bay Merchants and Professional Association agreed with the concept of a civic complex .... "It could be that to spend $1.2 million now could alleviate the necessity for a major move down the road. This municipality desperately needs arts and theatre facilities." Local realtor, Tom Wardell, confirmed that the property was worth the amount being paid for it and suggested a possible swap for municipality-owned land. At this point, the account of the meeting began to sound like a spectator's report of a game of checkers...... move the library; (to the future civic complex) move the stone house, itself; ("in or next to John Lawson Park and be incorporated into the Arts on Argyle development at the Am-bleside waterfront") or to municipality-owned property at 15th and Fulton (with the caution) "But the move could disqualify the municipality for certain heritage funding, and could somewhat diminish the historical value of the house." In the NEWS VIEWPOINT section of the same day's paper, reproduced below, under the heading "Preserve history", there is an impassioned plea for the preservation of the Gertrude Lawson house. It is worthy of space in our publication. Read the last sentence twice and if you are of the belief that the structure should be saved, pick up your pen and paper and let Council know how you feel. (Discussion of the Gertrude Lawson house will be included on the agenda for the May 25th meeting.) "Unless West Vancouverites take some definite and positive action, one of the district's most significant heritage buildings will be replaced with another apartment development. While there has been great public outcry over the loss of the less important Hollybum Manor and disputes over the need to save the old ferry building, an edifice of true historic and aesthetic value could be reduced to rubble without so much as a tear. The home of the late Gertrude Lawson was built 50 years ago out of ships ballast stones saved by John Lawson (the father of West Vancouver) and with the first mortgage granted a woman in B.C. Miss Lawson's heartfelt desire to have the house preserved was not stated in her will, and the property has already been sold for over $1 million. Municipal officials tried to acquire the house, but were not in a position to deal in a bidding war with developers. There remains the possibility of either swapping the new owner for some municipal land or getting the building moved to another