Leaked documents obtained by Pique detail plans for the recently purchased Parkhurst lands.
A modernistic, 60,000-square-foot Casino, lakefront waterpark and luxury hotel are at the heart of the plans, which also include private tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course and a stadium-type indoor sports facility.
The documents — dropped at the Pique offices in an unmarked brown envelope — note that servicing costs to the remote area have been estimated in the millions.
A mock-up image of the development shows a concept of the Vegas-style complex, along with notes detailing plans for a lakeside waterpark and waterslide complex that drains directly into Green Lake.
The development is attached to Las Vegas real-estate mogul Joseph Cretino, of Cretino Casino Corp., Inc. (CCC), whom the RMOW is considering partnering with in the venture.
A spokesperson for CCC initially declined to comment by phone, but when pressed further said Cretino "doesn't care" what the people of Whistler might think of the plans, and they should probably "learn to deal with it."
Cretino and CCC have previously been linked to "reckless disregard for the environment," as described by an online nature protection lobby group in the U.S.
It is also believed that the company has donated huge sums of money to the campaigns of both U.S. President Donald Trump and the BC Liberal Party, though tracing the contributions has proved challenging due to the way the company credit cards were used in this capacity.
Requests for comment to the Resort Municipality of Whistler were not immediately returned, but the leaked documents say that CCC plans to ask the RMOW for a tax exemption for the first 20 years of operation and enter into a revenue-sharing agreement with local government. Details are confidential.
Staff housing will be provided along with a monthly allowance for gambling and drinks. The CCC spokesperson said this perk would be extended to all RMOW employees and council members.
He said they had no concerns about getting the plans through the development process.
The document also makes reference to plans for future logging and water-bottling operations as well as something called the "Family Fun Nudist Retreat," as CCC wanted to make sure it was an inclusive operation bringing people from all over the world to its four-season resort.
Whistler now has two waterparks on the way, as the CCC development follows last year's big Whistler Blackcomb Renaissance announcement.
"But ours will be much, much bigger," the CCC spokesperson said. If all goes according to plan the water park will be operational for the 2017/18 ski season.
Whistler residents will be allowed to use the waterpark and nudist retreat for free.
Pené Esposti, coordinator of Whistler's beloved Cheekside Naturist Festival and longtime member of the Federation of Canadian Naturists, said he welcomes any opportunity for families to get naked together.
"People get all weird about nudity, but I think it's completely natural for families to spend time together naked," he said, adding that he and his three adult sons will be first in line for Cretino's new retreat.
"There's nothing quite like feeling the wind (between your cheeks), especially in a place as scenic and fresh as Whistler."
The documents — dated April 1 — conclude with a single, definitive statement.
"Happy April Fool's Day from everyone at Pique Newsmagazine."
