The Vancouver Sun from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • 21

BEST con AVAILABLE CLASSIFIED Want ads start on page 5 ghCncout'rSun LIONS FACE EX-MATE RIVERS, ELLER TRADED EX PARK RACING SCOREBOARD in.r TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1979 mo safest ttWiyfcM We need planning, not selling stadium aS JIM KEARNEY I Iw 1 1MWB Bell's Law: Where people get in trouble is by overestimating receipts and underestimating costs. When they do this you can be certain they are in the business of selling stadiums, not just building them. Postscripts today on a stadium study trip to Minneapolis-St. Paul, where work is about to start on a downtown (in Minneapolis) domed stadium that will cost just over $50 million. This is half the announced $107 million cost of the stadium component in Multiplex; half the unresearched ballpark figure suggested by proponents of a stadium in downtown Vancouver.

Bell's law belongs to Jerry Bell, executive assistant to Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission executive director Don Poss. It emerged from the commission's study of 16 other stadiums in the United States, covered and uncovered, and their histories from conception through completion and into actual operation. The message that came through to the commission was this: don't let the people who are emotionally involved in promoting and pushing stadiums have anything to do with the building of them. Selling an idea and putting the nuts and bolts together in the most sensible way possible are two vastly diffenent plex, condemns the downtowners) is that it not get in the way of his convention centre plans. As long as Swangard is preoccupied out there at the PNE grounds, singing The Impossible Dream, no actual stadium will intrude.

The mayor will be free to get on with convincing the people they should sign a blank cheque for the convention centre. He, too, is a seller. Considering that the provincial government will be the main contributor if when any of these projects is carried out, it could do far worse than go the Minnesota route. Get all three out of the hands of the sellers and into the hands of dispasssionate, uninvolved people who can make choices based on fact and a thorough investigation of stadium and convention centre experiences elsewhere. When sellers start pushing and talking big numbers, we could all be in big trouble, especially if we let them go ahead and build on the basis of feasibility studies they commissioned.

That's another point Bell made. The metropoli-. tan commission studied dozens of stadium feasibility reports. And what conclusion did the commission come to? "If all those feasibility studies are accurate, then Billy Graham is available to stage 450 Crusades a year in the nation's stadiums." Loto money from Bill Bennett. But Joe Clark made a commitment? He said the Tories would deliver on Iona's promise? Sure, sure.

Joe made a lot of other commitments, too. He's not keeping all of them, either. The PNE president and I have a bottle of Scotch bet on whether Multiplex will be built or not. Be a good chap, Erwin. Make it Glennfiddich.

THEN THERE'S THAT other stadium sales group, the build-it-downtown-on-the-north-side-of-False Creek guys. They've got a press conference going at 5:30 this evening: It is to be hoped they'll have something more to tell us than their airy-fairy generalities of the last several weeks. Such as; Their plans to have Marathon Realty (the CPR) give away 25 acres of their False Creek property as the stadium site? Or failing this, the master plan by which downtown businesses, in a gesture of civic pride and awareness, will buy the property and offer it gratis if someone will build the stadium on it? Don't hold your breath. The day either of those options happens, Jack Vol-rich will stand up and tell the world that his pet project, a waterfront convention centre, is an utter crock and shouldn't be built, ever. The mayor's only worry about the stadium (he supports Multi AS PART OF AN independent commission with no vested stadium interests, Bell's opinion could be dismissed as a trifle self-righteous.

It could be. But it shouldn't. The Minnesota legislature obviously wasn't behind the door when the brains were passed out. This is exactly what it wanted when it appointed the seven-man commission two years ago and put it in charge of the stadium project. Its mandate wasn't to get a stadium built.

Its mandate was to get a covered stadium built for $55 million or less or an uncovered stadium for $42 million or less. If it couldn't be done within these prices, then there would be no new stadium at all. As further insurance, the legislature chose seven commissioners who are not particularly interested in sport. Bell says they are only casual attenders of sports events. They are, in fact, citizens' league types, people whose main concern is good government.

The chairman, a building contractor named Dan Brutger, lives in St. Cloud, a small city 60 miles removed from the Twin Cities. This choice was not accidental. The legislature wanted a man from right outside the three possible stadium sites: Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington.

When downtown Min- Your agent's contention is that the numbers ($175 million for the entire thing, $107 million for the stadium alone) are too big for the politicians in Victoria and Ottawa. No way they'll come up with the nearly $60 million he needs from each of feds and B.C.; no way the latter will co-sign the nearly $60 million loan the PNE will have to make to complete the financing. Since the last time we talked, Erwin and his stadium committee have travelled to Victoria on a selling expedition. If the reception wasn't lukewarm, then it was merely tepid. And now federal sports minister Steve Pa.troskl says there will be no stadium money from his department, as promised by his predecessor, Iona Campagnolo.

What Iona promised was Loto Canada lolly. Steve says he's turning Loto Canada over to the provinces. His message: go see Victoria and get the promised neapolis finally was chosen, there could be no charges of favoritism. St. Paul and Bloomington were disappointed, but they couldn't argue with the decision.

Downtown Minneapolis is where the pro sports tenants want to play. And Minneapolis businessmen made it possible by purchasing or donating nearly 25 acres of downtown property, to the value of $15 million, and turning it over to the commission as the stadium site. ALL THIS IS IN considerable and refreshing contrast to the factionalized comedy act in Vancouver. Out at the PNE, Erwin Swangard, in the inimitable style that has made him famous, is still trying to bulldoze his way to Multiplex. Your agent and he have discussed the project several times; and have disagreed every time.

GirefldlDin) tfforeeotfens ito ploy oyS" ooogd 1 ASA. fe By ARV OLSON Thomas Gradin will play out his option this coming season and become a free agent in June, 1980 if he doesn't get a substantial salary increase in a new, long-term contract from Vancouver Canucks. "We've been negotiating with the Canucks for two months and Thomas is prepared to play out his option if he isn't signed to a new deal," agent Bjorn Wagnusson told The Sun Monday from his home in Ka-thrineholm, Sweden. "There has been a positive atmosphere during our negotiations," said Wagnusson. "However, Jake (Jake Milford, the Vancouver general manager) doesn't think Thomas is worth what we are seeking." Gradin, the classy 23-year-old Swedish centre, had an exceptional rookie year with the Canucks last season.

He signed a two-year agreement (one year and an option) for considerably less money than three fellow Swedes Lars Lindgren, Lars Zetter-strom and Roland Eriksson received. In his first National Hockey League season, Gradin had 20 goals and 31 assists, second among Canucks only to Ron Sedlbauer who hr 56 points on 40 goals and 16 assists. Gradin added four goals and an assist in three playoff games while Sedlbauer had only one assist. "We've basically agreed on the longevity of a new contact," said Milford. "It's a case of agreeing on a figure and we're not that far apart now." Milford said he has offered Gradin a contract "almost the same" as Stefan Pers-son, the Swedish defenceman, signed with New York Islanders in June.

"And he had a heck of a good season," said Milford of Persson, who had 10 goals and 56 assists in his second NHL season. "Thomas wants to play for Vancouver for a long time," addes Wagnusson, who is the agent for most Swedish players in the NHL "He thinks he proved last season that WITH FIRE starting to engulf engine compartment, driver Al Hofoert leaps from window after five-car collision Monday in rain-delayed Poco- no 500 NASCAR race at Long Pond, Pa. Car No. 17, driven by Roger Hamby, was late arrival. Cale Yarborough won race.

(See story page 4) According to NHL scouts Vaive should be Canucks' top pick he's worthy of a long contract that is financially quite good." Wagnusson said that Lindgren, the big defenceman who also joined the Canucks last season, has two more years to go on his contract. Zetterstrom and Eriksson didn't stick with Vancouver Zetterstrom spent almost the entire season playing in Dallas for a six-figure salary while Eriksson was released during the season. "Eriksson has turned down an offer from Winnipeg and has signed to play with a Swedish club next season," said Magnus-son. "I've not yet heard from Quebec in regards to Zetterstrom (the Nordiques took the defenceman in the dispersal draft)." Magnusson said he expects two of his latest clients defenceman Tomas Jonsson and goaltender Pelle Lindberg will be selected in the first two rounds of the NHL's entry (amateur) draft Aug. 9.

"Neither of them will be playing in the NHL this season as they've had to agree to play in Sweden before July 1," said the agent. "I've had seven NHL general managers call me about Jonsson, who is considered the best prospect in Sweden since Borje Salming." Milford was one of the general managers inquiring about Jonsson. "We're definitely interested in him he's a great prospect," said Milford. "But we can't afford to pick him in the first round and he'll probably be gone by the time we draft second. We have to take a player with our first pick who can play for us this coming season." ICE SHAVINGS Toronto Maple Leafs announced Monday that Dick Duff, a former Leaf, has been appointed assistant coach and ex-Leaf goalie Johnny Bower has been named scout and goaltenders' coach Goaltender John Davidson (knee) and right winger Don Murdoch (shoulder) of New York Rangers are scheduled to undergo surgery in August 7 trr SS-10 Flash 10.

Tom McCarthy, Oshawa. 11. Keith Brown, Portland. 12. Mike Foligno, Sudbury.

13. Brian Propp, Brandon. 14. Doug Sulliman, Kitchener. 15.

Ray Allison, Brandon. 16. Laurie Boschman, Brandon. 17. Tomas Jonsson, Sweden.

18. Normand Rochefort, Three Rivers. 19. Mike Ramsay, U. of Minnesota.

20. Kevin Lowe, Quebec. 21. Michel Goulet, Birmingham. Ineligible for draft (Gretzky protected by Edmonton through special prior arrangement; Babych and Rochefort, turning 18 this season, under-age.) Players turning 19 during coming season.

Eliminating the three players who are among the top 21 but ineligible for the draft, the scouting system rates Errol Rausse of Seattle, Dean Hopkins of London and 19-year-old Brent Ashton of Saskatoon as the next three choices. Of the 215 players rated by Central Scouting, 100 are graduating juniors while 115 are eligible to play junior next season. The teams will be drafting in the following order: 1. Colorado, 2. St.

Louis, 3. Detroit, 4. 31 APtowrphoto he'll be long gone by the time Milford chooses in the telephone draft There are, however, four prime right wingers Vaive, Gartner, Allison and Foligno among the graduating juniors. With so many 19-year-olds expected to be gobbled up in the first round by teams which can afford to gamble on future prospects, several early second-round choices are given excellent chances of playing in the NHL this season. They would be late first-round selections if the 19-year-olds weren't included in the draft The Canucks, with the fifth and 26th over-all choices, hope to draft two instant NHLers.

Among those considered prospects by NHL scouts but not among Central Scouting's first 24 choices are Tim Trimper (Peterborough), Doug Morrison (Lethbridge), Jeff Brownscbidle (Notre Dame University), Gaston Gingras (Birmingham), Pat Riggin (Birmingham), Pelle Lindberg (Sweden), Brad McCrim-mon (Brandon), Duane Sutter (Lethbridge), Jim Fox (Ottawa), Mike Perovich (Brandon), Mike Toal (Portland), John Ogrod-nick (New Westminster), Pat Conacher (Saskatoon) and Kevin Maxwell (U. of North Dakota). their way cushion, which they needed when reliever Dan Boitano gave up a run in the ninth as he collected his 15th save of the season. Vancouver jumped on Indians' starter Greg Biercevicz in the first inning. Creighton Tevlin, who finished the night with three runs scored, led off with a soio home run and Craig Ryan followed with a two-run blast his third in eight games.

Spokane retaliated with its five runs off Replogle in the second, highlighted by a two-run double by Steve Stroughter. A walk to Tevlin, a groundout and a single by Ryan moved the score to 5-4 in the thirl Vancouver tied the count in the fifth when Tevlin doubled, went to third on a sacrifice and scored on a bouncer by Lena Sakata over the draTS-io infield. Washington, 5. Vancouver, 6. Minnesota, 7.

Chicago, 8. Los Angeles, 9. Toronto, 10. Pittsburgh, 11. Buffalo, 12.

Atlanta, 13. New York Rangers, 14. Philadelphia, 15. Boston, 16. Montreal, 17.

New York Islanders, 18. Hartford, 19. Winnipeg, 20. Quebec, 21. Edmonton.

Because of previous deals, Minnesota has Washington's first-round pick, Los Angeles has Montreal's and Detroit has the option of taking Toronto's this year or next The Rockies have indicated they will be taking Ramage or Turnbull; while Central Scouting rates the big, rugged Portland left winger first, many NHL scouts consider Ramage as the best available draft because the 195-pound defenceman has had a year's pro experience. The Canucks will be seriously considering Vaive, if he's still available by the fifth pick. Washington is high on the 6', 180-pounder who led Birmingham in scoring (26 goals, 33 assists) and penalty minutes (248) last season. General manager Jake Milford has publicly stated that Vancouver's priorities are a right-handed defenceman or a right winger. Ramage is the only defender who plays the right side among the top choices and hitting for still mildly-injured designated hitter Skip James, led off the decisive frame with a single.

Juan Lopez promptly followed with his third hit of the night, moving Jacobs to third base and himself steaming to second on a poor relay throw from the outfield. This brought on Indians manager Rene Lacbemann, who removed reliever Rob Pietroburgo (1-2) and called on Gary Lance. After an intentional walk, ninth-plice batter Tim Nordbrook lifted a sacrifice fly to score Jacobs. Another walk loaded the bases and with Romero at the plate, Lance uncorked a wild pitch to easily score Lopez with the deciding run. Lopez' ma gave Vancouver a two-run By ARV OLSON Portland's Perry Turnbull is rated the prime eligible choice in the National Hockey League's Aug.

9 entry draft and, if the teams went by the official book. Rick Vaive of Sherbrookft, via Birmingham should go fifth, to Vancouver Canucks. The official book is supplied for the teams by the league's sophisticated Central Scouting System service, but its recommended rating of talent is definitely not the order in which the players will be selected. Central Scouting's final integrated List of the top talent includes three players who will be unavailable when the league's 21 teams select 126 youngsters next week (the draft is limited to six rounds this year). The List also recommends the teams take in the first round seven players who will be turning 19 years of age during the coming season.

NHL governors earlier this year decided to include 19-year-olds in the draft for the first time and to permit drafting of 18-year-olds in 1980. The decision was considered a necessary move to head off potential legal u. i ju-'t UHjA4 iuuuLBuuua iuc league uiuu i tuuuuu a teen-age draft Several agents of "underage" players have been threating to take the NHL to court if they weren't eligible to play in the league. While NHL president John Ziegler has said no 19-year-olds would be exempt from the draft, super-agent Alan Eagleson is threatening to snafu the proceedings. He's claiming five of his clients, who were underage players with Birmingham of the defunct World Hockey Association last season, are free agents and should not be included in the draft They were Vaive, Rob Ramage, Michel Goulet Craig Hartsburg, Gaston Gingras and Pat Riggin.

Here is Central Scouting's final list of leading players: 1. Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton WHA. 1 Perry TurabuH Portland. 1 Rob Rama ge, Birmingham WHA. 4 "David Babych, Portland.

5. Raynond Bourque, Verdun, i. Craig Hansburg. Birmingham. 7.

Rick Vaive, Birmingham, Mik Gartner, Cincinnati WHA. 1 'Paul Reinhart, Kitchener. NUWttTMCWSUCMU Compos row picturt, focus, shoot, and yon kov a perfect expowre accurately, outomaticaHy. Mount tht MD-11 Motor Drive Unit, press rh rriootr button, and you fart Canadians get win tossed one perfect exposure after another after another swiftly, automatically. Use the SB-10 Speediioht Unit, shoot, and you have a perfect flash exposure brightly, cfr 50mm f2 MD-11 Motor Drive SPOKANE A combination of good fortune, a rare display of power and tenacity paid dividends for Vancouver Canadians Monday night Two home runs in the first inning started the visitors rolling, but in the end it was a wild pitch by the third Spokane hurler which gave Vancouver a come-from-be-hind 7-6 Pacific Coast League win.

Canadians Jumped to a 3-4 lead in the first frame, then saw the Indians pound Andy Replogle (19-7) for five runs. Vancouver added single tallies in the third and fifth inning! to even the count before rallying for the winning runs in the eighth. Canadians manager John Felske made a timely substitution as Ron Jacobs, pinch-.