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: In August 1983, Council decided not to declare three uncompleted construction sites in the Whistler Village as “nuisances”, instead directing staff to work with the developers to clean up the sites before winter. The three sites were The Brandywine Inn, L’Auberge, and the Whistler Hotel and Athletic Club and their neighbours, such as the Delta Mountain Inn, were losing patience with the sites and wanted them cleaned up. The developers of the sites, however, claimed that they did not have the money to do so or to complete the projects before the coming winter. Council worked out an arrangement that requested that the owners of the sites rebuild fences around the sites and remove any loose construction materials.
Question: Do you find the unfinished building sites in the village an eyesore?
Michele Walter – Delta Mountain Inn Employee – Alpine Meadows
I think they should have finished them. The view from the north side rooms (in the Delta) is nice except for that. Some people think it’s going to be a skating rink or a swimming pool. Lots of people don’t like the view of the village because of the sites.
Dave Kirk – Village Store Owner – Alta Vista
Damn right they’re an eyesore. I think council was wimpy. We’ve lived with it (construction in the village) for four years. If there’s no evidence of construction by next year, I hope council would show more fortitude.
Greg Madland – Firefighter – St. Catherine’s, Ontario
I wouldn’t consider it an eyesore. I think skiers would see it as future construction. I don’t really think you’d want to fill it over. Flower pots and fences, like there are, are a good idea. The building trade would look really bad after putting in all those foundations.
WHISTORICAL 