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 Whistler Health Planning Society was formed in 1982 and that September opened the Whistler Medical Centre in a double-wide trailer on Whistler Way. The two doctors in Whistler, Dr. Christine Rodgers and Dr. Rob Burgess, as well as the public health nurse Marilyn McIvor and physiotherapist Susie Mortensen-Young, began practicing out of the facility. That winter, Whistler Emergency Services also began operating out of the Whistler Medical Centre. As of 1983, the Whistler Medical Centre did not have tools such as an x-ray machine and was a small space for the number of patients treated. Find out more about the Whistler Medical Centre’s early years here.
Question: How extensive do you think health care facilities at Whistler should be?
Sue Howard – Director of Sales, Tantalus Lodge – Whistler Cay
I don’t think we need a hospital yet, we’re not big enough. The health care facilities definitely need improving though. We should have an x-ray machine and perhaps a specialist in athletic injuries.
Gerd Bechtel – Air Traffic Controller – Munich, Germany
It sounds like you need a hospital here. What if someone is ill or has a skiing accident? It is a long way to Vancouver for proper care. It seems to me you have enough people here to have that facility.
Bart Imler – Unemployed – Emerald Estates
I believe Whistler needs certain facilities like an x-ray machine for sure. We don’t need a hospital because there’s not enough people to warrant one and if they tried to build it now it’d be so rinky-dink it wouldn’t be worth having.
WHISTORICAL 