Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

This Weeks Letters

Kudos to councillor Ken Melamed for having the backbone to stay the course with the original vision for Whistler’s library.

Kudos to councillor Ken Melamed for having the backbone to stay the course with the original vision for Whistler’s library.

I have to ask though, why council’s sudden squeamishness over the cost of the project? Is it prompted by the loud voice of local builders who’ve woken up at this late hour to the fact they’re suddenly hungry for a slice of this particular pie?

Whatever the reason, I can only hope the political posturing and council’s sudden back-pedalling doesn’t delay the long-overdue project any further because to my mind the new library building should be a priority, one that goes to the very heart of what defines a community.

My feeling comes not from the fact that most of the books I’d like to borrow from the library are packed into a storage shed. And it doesn’t come from the fact there is scarcely room to breathe, let alone move, in the aisles of the tiny, claustrophobic structure that currently houses the facility.

It comes from the fact that Whistler’s public library serves as a humble touchstone in an often lopsided resort environment. It’s part of the core of our community.

It’s a place you’ll find local mums and toddlers curled on cushions in corners discovering a world of literature. For free.

It’s a place you’ll find employees with a myriad of accents using computers, the Internet, drafting resumes, studying or writing letters home or simply taking shelter from the rain and timeout from overcrowded living facilities and whacked-out roommates to relish the quiet in the company of a good book, newspaper or magazine. All for free.

It’s a place you can still borrow a good video, or audiobook, or CD… for free.

And while the library seems to shrink in size under the increasing pressure of use each season, the good-natured smiles and helpfulness of the library staff have remained, incredibly, a constant.

I wonder if they’re smiling now?

If not, I don’t blame them. You can only bleed something for so long.

My voice comes nowhere close to carrying the clout of the Whistler Home Builders Association, but I’m going to throw it into the ring anyway and plead that this project not be delayed further. And that corners not be cut. This is what I pay my taxes for. This is where the money should be spent.

I can appreciate Whistler builders are hurting, especially after the loss of the Nita Lake project. I can understand if they want their pound of flesh from council. I can see they’re worried about losing income in a flattening economy and that they want to continue feathering their nests in the manner to which they’ve become accustomed. But don’t let the library become a pawn as battle lines are drawn.

In fact, if the Whistler Home Builders Association really wants a slice of this particular community pie, if they’d really like to "raise their profile in the corridor" by planning community initiatives, I challenge its members to donate time and labour free of charge toward a library building we can all be proud of. And I challenge councillors to stick with the vision.

Loreth Beswetherick

Whistler

Do you want a library?

The trustees and staff of the Whistler Public Library would like to put to rest some misconceptions rushing around our valley.

Firstly, no one on the board is a designer, architect or builder – we are a group of community volunteers who for various reasons wish to see a new library built to serve our growing community. We have worked, and are working hard to see that this is not just a dream but also a reality. Consequently we are having a tough time understanding the negativity we are encountering.

Here are the salient points as we see them:

• Trustees and staff endorse the building of the most economical, sustainable and functional library possible with the understanding that the library should be a cornerstone of our community.

• All parties are agreed that 12,000 sq. feet has been recognized as the minimum space necessary for a library given our population and usage. Reports to support this are available at the library and municipal hall.

• A new library has been in the planning stages since 1992 – in 1993 the RMOW Community Development Plan policy stated, "The Municipality will promote and support the construction of a Library in Whistler Village". The library was adopted as a Millennium Project in 1999. During our capital campaign, the financial climate for a joint museum/library building funded by public and private money proved unfeasible.

• Last month council approved moving forward with a $7.9 million civic building of which the library would be a major part, recognizing that virtually all libraries in B.C. are municipally funded buildings.

• Two years ago RMOW went to tender for design and project management of a joint building, 33 firms made submissions, only one individual from Whistler was involved. The decision to hire Hughes Condon Marler was made at that time. An independent cost assessment and a quantity survey were part of the process.

• We have our floor plans in hand but a redesign of the building is needed. Hughes Condon Marler has knowledge of the lot and other pertinent information needed to move ahead. If we use the existing firm we will be saving the taxpayer $167,000 and considerable time. The community will also be fully engaged in the process.

• As no construction contracts are even at the bid stage the local trades will have ample opportunity to get involved.

• So many estimates of cost per square foot have been bandied about it is no wonder that we are all confused! Costs per square foot for this building include design, project management, construction and soft costs. Until such time as there is a redesign and all the bids are in they are still an estimate. Should the building come in under budget so much the better for all involved!

• Trustees have no say in what other components make up the balance of the building. This is a municipal building and will be run by the municipality.

• While we welcome local input and participation we are behind the eight ball already and it seems pointless to start the process all over again from square one.

• Every month of construction delay will cost approximately $41,000! (Construction cost escalation is at 8-10 per cent this year.)

• Trustees have full confidence in the expertise of municipal staff and wish that council had the same. After all, it is council who instructed staff to proceed with the project, only to stall it once again this month.

In closing, we, the trustees and staff of the Whistler Public Library, feel that the full time community of Whistler and its extended community have waited long enough for a library where our children can come and firstly, experience "babytime" and "storytime" and then go on as teens, adults and seniors to participate in all the library has to offer. It can truly be the cornerstone of our community.

As trustees we encourage you to read the balanced and informative articles in last week’s Question (April 8 th ) and Pique Newsmagazine (April 9 th ) and then make your feelings known to council.

The time has come to build our community library.

Anne Fenwick Chair

Marlene Baldwin, Vice Chair

Anne Hale, Treasurer

Sharon Broatch

Dallas Cristofoli

Jane Finlayson

Betty McWhinnie

Alix Nicoll

Marianna Orr

Mary Scott

Joan Richoz, Library Director.

It is with sadness and a tear that once again I hear the lights will be turned out at Creekside come April 18th.

We have heard the words "commitment", "customer service", "building relationships" and "number one" as part of the Intrawest vernacular. Well let's look at the big picture here and make the "commitment" to "build relationships", give "customer service" to really be "number one".

We know in the corporate world it is all about dollars and cents and reporting to shareholders. But what about the people side? Maybe one or two of the people are shareholders?

Over the past few years Intrawest has been building and selling a new community with several neighbourhoods in the Creekside area. The Legends, First Tracks Lodge, Taluswood, At Nature's Door, Kadenwood, Spring Creek and Franz's Trail are all Intrawest creations. Not to mention a few parking stalls that our vehicles can own! Are all of these owners second class to the village dwellers? I am sure Intrawest’s lease requirements with the merchants on the commercial properties the company owns in Franz's Trail prevent any closures. Are Dusty's and Can-Ski special?

And then there is the Old Creekside community that has waited for 20 years for some re-development to occur while all the focus was on the village. Well this was to be the big year for the Creekside. The start of the New Creekside. The bright lights were turned on in January. Let's keep all of them on, including Can-Ski and Dusty's!

Here's a little feedback from the people. Keep Dusty's and Can-Ski open 12 months of the year. Be consistent. Make the commitment. Keep the playing field equal. Run the Creekside gondola until at least April 30th and preferably the May long weekend. The people will support it!

T. Laurie

Whistler

I would like to respectfully request that Whistler council consider an organizational review similar to the one done of the District of West Vancouver in 1998.

The review of the operation of West Vancouver City Hall and council was very comprehensive. The recommendations for improvement were candid, practical and constructive. A consulting firm, with extensive experience in municipal matters, performed the review. This comparative insight of what works and what doesn’t and why, was very beneficial to the final report recommendations.

By approving this review, West Vancouver council demonstrated respect for the taxpayers. Having objective third party professionals review the operation of city hall and council, and make recommendations for positive change for the future, was an act of confidence and moral conviction to encourage positive change.

I understand that Whistler council is waiting for a report on governance from the municipal administrator before deciding whether to have a full review of the operation of municipal hall. It is not realistic to expect to have an objective internal review of the current operation of council or municipal hall performed by bureaucrats who are part of the system, for obvious reasons. It is equally not realistic to expect part-time politicians to perform that function objectively.

After reading the Cuff Report on West Vancouver City Hall, I am hopeful that Whistler council will appreciate the merits and timely need to obtain an objective professional review. The recommendations from a comprehensive review will greatly benefit the taxpayers, citizens, the province, and the IOC. It will ensure that RMOW is administratively and organizationally prepared. That is, prepared for rapid changes, challenges, demands, expectations, and standards of professionalism, personnel competence, and operational efficiency.

Those who interact with Whistler now and in the future, have high expectations. We don’t want to disappoint them in any way, especially when we can avoid problems by anticipating and pre-empting them. The last organizational review that Whistler did was eight years ago. There has been a world of change since then.

Three of the seven councillors recently voted for an administrative review. Hopefully, at least one more councillor will do so after reviewing and considering the merits of an administrative review, similar to the one requested by the District of West Vancouver. There are no downside risks of having an organizational review, only upside benefits and positive advantages for all concerned.

Would council please put the matter of an organizational review back on the table for a fresh look and discussion?

Jamie Wooster

Richmond

This letter was addressed to Pemberton’s mayor and council.

On behalf of my family, and probably each of my neighbours, I would like to thank the mayor and council of Pemberton for their recent decision to maintain the current zoning of the 3.8 acre lot on Prospect Street.

Council’s action has strengthened our neighbourhood’s faith in local government and the process of governance. In short, we feel that council has respected the views of it residents.

For that, I want to express my sincere appreciation.

Anne Nicolson

Pemberton

Nice article on the highway project. Let's hope there are more. I note the emphasis on safety and reliability (keeping the hiway open). It is too bad the highway is always talked about as too narrow and too costly. This is a condition that has been coming on for many years. There used to be lots of room for stopping on the roadside – everywhere. It is the way roads used to be made – but then you get less for cheaper.

I am glad to see the intent is to remove sharp curves (like the one at the bridge in Britannia). More passing opportunities to relieve frustrated drivers is a good thought except it does not help much as dawdling drivers always find the gas pedal when they get to the passing lane. Yahoo, here we go 120, but only to the end of the passing lane when 65 becomes the norm again.

I am delighted to read about the priority of keeping the highway open when motor vehicle crashes occur. If this becomes fact, I shall see it as minor miracle. We presently have the dreary and unnecessary situation of many hours passing (way beyond reason) until the road (any road) is open again. A shorter delay is two or three hours but commonly we get six or eight hours. This is inexcusable.

Terry Smith

Garibaldi Highlands

And the Myrtle goes to…

Every year the American Motion Picture Academy awards Oscars to recognize individuals for their outstanding achievements in the film industry. Every year at the Whistler Museum and Archives’ annual general meeting, we recognize individuals for their outstanding achievements, in particular, volunteer work. This year we recognized Lisa Richardson as Volunteer of the Year for 2003.

Many of you in the community know Lisa already. Originally heralding from Australia, she possesses a background in law and currently resides in Pemberton with her partner Dave. She is an excellent writer, regularly contributing her insightful musings to the Pique and Whistler This Week, patient ski instructor, and all around friendly, energetic, and passionate gal. She served as Secretary for the museum’s board of trustees and member of the museum’s programming committee for two years. This year she will be taking on the role of marketing committee chair.

Lisa has contributed a lot of her time and energy to a number of museum projects over the years including press releases, museum correspondence, feature articles, and opening receptions for exhibits. From stuffing envelopes to moving desks, no job was ever too mundane or unworthy of her effort.

The board and staff of the Whistler Museum and Archives wish to congratulate Lisa and to extend a heartfelt thank you for everything that she has done. We look forward to working with her on many other projects in the years to come.

Stephen Henderson for

the board and staff of the Whistler Museum and Archives Society

The Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association would like to express our gratitude to the organizers of the third annual Longhorn joint CARDA/CAA/Dave Sheets Memorial fundraiser. A special thanks goes out to John Barber of Whistlers Best Promotions for making this event happen, as well as to Dick Gibbons from the Longhorn for so generously providing the venue and the support for this event.

A big Thank-you as well to all of the sponsors who so generously donated the many door prizes, and to all those who attended this event.

The funds that CARDA will receive from the proceeds of this event are earmarked towards the purchase of communications equipment to help expedite our dog handler’s response to any avalanche rescues.

Thank you!

Anton Horvath

President, CARDA

The Canadian Avalanche Association would like to express our sincere thanks to the organizers of the third annual Longhorn joint CAA/ CARDA/Dave Sheets Memorial fundraiser. John Barber of Whistler’s Best Promotions receives special thanks for his organizational support of this event. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Dick Gibbons from the Longhorn Saloon for so generously providing the venue for this event for the past three years.

We would also like to thank the various sponsors who generously donated the many door prizes.

Although the CAA now receives limited funding from the Government of British Columbia, it is these grassroots initiatives with partners in mountain communities that keep our avalanche safety programs alive. Events such as this truly help ensure the survival of the public avalanche bulletin, and your community is fortunate to have people that walk the talk, demonstrating their commitment to safety in Canadian winter mountain recreation.

Clair Israelson

Executive Director,

Canadian Avalanche Association

Thursday, April 22nd is Ed Zinkevich’s – some people know him as "Santa" – 65th birthday. I recently mentioned his name to a father of two small children. His eyes lit up saying "Fast Eddie, he's the best representative of the spirit of ‘Santa’ Whistler has ever known." And I agree.

Being in Ed's company I can feel his deep compassion for those who are less fortunate then himself. As president of the Lions Club Ed embraces their motto with his generous nature all year round.

Ed is butting out cigarettes to begin his "Golden Years." Take up his challenge to butt out on his 65th Birthday and Earth Day. Friends are welcome to celebrate at Buffalo Bills on April 22 nd , starting at 7 p.m. for appies, dance and music.

Way to go Ed!

Carolyn Hachey

Whistler