Opinion

It’s still four months away, but if I were to pick one issue that will dominate November’s municipal election it would be the ceiling on development and housing for locals.

After a week of 11th hour and 59th minute meetings, consideration of several budgets and clarifications of a few misunderstandings, all the pieces are finally in place to make the World Cup an annual event in Whistler each December.

Eight months ago, just as Quebecers were about to vote on the future of the country, many of us for the first time really considered what Canada might be like without Quebec, and whether the country would survive.

After several years of exponential growth in most areas — skier visits, room nights, occupancy rates, construction — 1996 shows every indication that many of things have peaked, at least temporarily.

As of press time Wednesday, it appeared likely the World Cup was still coming to Whistler but the deal wasn’t complete, as we reported last week.

Despite the Millar’s Pond project (85 units), the recently approved Gondola 6 project (12 units) and Whistler Mountain’s employee housing project at Twin Lakes, Whistler’s employee housing situation won’t be much better this fall than it was last.

Having sat through enough public hearings and information meetings that my eyes now automatically glaze over as soon as I hear a gavel banged, I have nevertheless kept just enough distance from a full comatose state to realize a unique Whistler speec

Finally, on May 16, the 1996 provincial election really got underway. It wasn’t the leaders’ so-called debate on TV, although that also happened on that same Thursday.

Whistler could hardly be described as economically depressed, but there are signs that after many years of exceptional growth, on virtually all fronts, some consideration should be given to what will drive the economy in the next few years.

Given the merits of the Barnfield Farm proposal it’s not surprising that speakers in favour of the project outnumbered opponents at Monday’s public information meeting, but given Whistler’s history with employee housing projects you never know.