Whistler

No longer looking to the stars for economic forecasts, the Opposition spent most of this week hammering the government about Forest Renewal B.C., and whether the $800 million fund will be used to help pay off the debt.

People who have lived or worked in Whistler for at least the past five consecutive years will be eligible for a preliminary lottery for 25 per cent of the units in future employee housing projects, under lottery qualifications presented Monday.

Council tabled a recommendation by staff Monday for a railway crossing signal at Rainbow Park and issued instructions to negotiate a better deal with BC Rail.

Revised cost estimates for Village Park, the artificial waterway through Village North, show the project has ballooned from $1.1 million to $2.7 million. However, council has made no commitment to the $2.

Calls to WRA Central Reservations between May 1 and June 16 were down 23 per cent over last year. However, brochure requests were up 28 per cent, due to two ad campaigns promoting May/June packages.

Local contractors are pleased with the deal between Whistler Mountain and developer Intrawest to complete the Taluswood housing project. "There couldn’t be a better partner," said Jim Charters, spokesperson for local contractors.

Earlier this spring it appeared possible that every remaining parcel in Village North and the village, with the exception of the municipality’s amenity lands, could be built on this summer.

The summer of 1996 may be the biggest construction year ever in Whistler — more than 1,100 multi-family dwelling units are under construction — but trying to find a residence under $300,000 is becoming very difficult.

Tickets for this fall’s 21st annual Banff Festival of Mountain Films and third annual Banff Mountain Book Festival are now on sale. The lineup of speakers for this year’s festivals — Oct. 30-Nov. 3 for the book festival, Nov.

BC Rail's new role as real-estate developer is evident in the latest retail project in Squamish.