In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1983. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: The Delta Mountain Inn opened in July 1982 and operated through that winter. In July 1983, however, the hotel announced that it would be closed from September 26 to November 21, 1983, due to the lack of convention business. The hotel claimed that the Delta would lose money by remaining open with so few guests expected during the period.
Question: What impact do you think the closing of Delta Mountain Inn will have on the hotel and on Whistler?
Lea-Ann Russell – Village Store Employee – Brio Estates
I don’t think closing was a good idea. To close and reopen like that would be hard to organize. They would have been better to stay open with a skeleton staff – maybe only one floor open. I don’t think it will hurt Whistler though because there are still enough places still open.
Dennis Waddingham – Village Store Owner – Whistler Cay
I think they should’ve announced it a lot earlier so local businesses would know when ordering their fall stock. Without Delta, Whistler’s visitor count will drop for sure. No, unfortunately I don’t think closing will hurt Delta itself at all. It’ll hurt their staff though.
Paul Clarke – Assistant Hotel Manager – Nesters Road
In the long run I don’t think closing will have a large effect on Whistler or the hotel at all. I feel sorry for them – it’s one thing to try and run a little restaurant up here but another thing to keep a huge operation like that going. From a business standpoint they just couldn’t do it.
WHISTORICAL 