Whistler’s Answers: July 1, 1982Whistler’s Answers: July 1, 1982
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 1982. 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 Village Land Company, a subsidiary of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, was formed in 1978 to oversee the development of the Town Centre.
Question: How do you view the current role of the Land Company in the development of Whistler?
W. Doug Fox – Vice-President of Finance & Operations – Whistler Village Land Co.
It’s very simple – our role is to develop the remaining private sites in the village in conjunction with the private sector. That always has been the role and still it.
The main role of the Land Company is not promoting and marketing. The specific role is developing sites for sale to the private sector. We don’t have anything if we don’t have the sites.
Mike Vance – Coordinator of Planning and Design – Whistler Village Land Co.
Ideally, if economic conditions were better, the Land Company would remain involved in planning, design and servicing of Whistler Village throughout the completion of the project.
But under present conditions, the Land Company can’t stay as involved as it has been in the past in planning and design coordination.
A lot of operation of the village – planning and design – will now have to be assumed by the municipality.
David O’Keefe – Skier Services and North Side Coordinator – Whistler Mountain Ski Corp.
Originally it was a coordinating body to market and sell the land available in the new Town Centre.
Right now it should positively continue along that line. Unfortunately we’re in a time of buyer restraint, but that doesn’t mean we should stop the whole thing.
The mandate has been set, and since times are more difficult the Land Company should be going even further afield to market land sites.
Greg Griffith – Photographer – Owner of Mountain Moments
It should be a decreasing role in the future. Municipal staff and our elected officials should now be the ones making the types of decisions the Land Company has been handling.
I think it’s great the Land Company got things going, but now they should be winding down gracefully since the Town Centre is rapidly approaching fulfillment of its initial mandate.
Sid Young – Alderman – Land Company Director – Travel Agent
I don’t see it as any different than it ever has been.
Although, because of the level of development which has occurred to date, I do see the possibility of reducing the size of the Land Company and therefore its operational costs.
Al Raine – Executive Director – Whistler Resort Association
The reality is that is number one objective must be its own survival.
Its number two objective should be the completion of Village Stroll and the main village core, as well as the Sports & Convention Centre.
Ideally, it also should be looking at a leadership role in terms of providing tourist services and a tourist product.