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Value is the issue In your April 7 article about the Pemberton Community Centre, I believe the message that you portray is not accurate.

Value is the issue

In your April 7 article about the Pemberton Community Centre, I believe the message that you portray is not accurate. The majority of the people who submitted counter petitions did not vote against the Community Centre project as you stated. They in fact supported the project, at least in concept, but felt that the costing and design warranted review. This message was presented clearly at the recent Community Centre public meeting, but was ignored. The only way to get this message to the politicians was to stop the borrowing bylaw from being adopted and the response by 20 per cent of the eligible voters was resounding.

In March of 2004, the SLRD was officially notified that they had received approval for a grant of $1.1 million towards a Community Centre. This grant, which was applied for in 2001, was based on a conceptual design and cost estimate for a basic structure, with a total project cost of $1.7 million. The project was to be funded from the grant money, Miller Creek trust fund money, and $480,000 of borrowed money. When the public next saw the project (at the recent public meeting) the project budget had more than doubled, to $3.6 million, and the amount to be borrowed had increased by more than five times, to $2.5 million.

Money is not the issue, value is. The originally proposed facility at $1.7 million was to be 10,000 sq. ft. The current proposed facility is 12,000 sq. ft. at $3.6 million and will be too small when completed. The existing community centre of 20,000+ sq. ft. is used virtually at capacity.

Contrary to statements made, infrastructure grants are frequently extended. Extensions were given on two recent SLRD projects with Infrastructure Grant funding – Pemberton North Water System Improvements and Devine Water System Improvements. Facilities such as these are needed in a growing community. Let’s not stop now. The community is listening.

Drew Meredith

Pemberton

 

A community without a centre

A community without a community centre is like a community without a heart.

Some history as I recall:

It was December 1980, almost 25 years ago, when the Pemberton Community Centre burnt down. The people from the top of the Pemberton Valley right through to D’arcy rallied together. Over the years, financial contributions, countless hours of volunteer labour and the use of donated equipment were directed towards the effort to build a new community facility.

I, along with many others, were happy to contribute our time, equipment and dollars, because we recognize the value of a community facility. I’m not sure of the exact figure the Pemberton Agriculture and Community Association (PACA) raised but I know it was well over $100,000. I can’t help but wonder whatever became of these funds.

Currently, community and recreational activities operate from the old decommissioned high school, it’s old and expensive to maintain, which costs us as taxpayers. And let’s not forget that in 1984 it was under six feet of water. So once again, our community leaders put together a proposal that would see the long awaited community centre built, provide a safe and healthy environment for our children and grandchildren, a facility that we, as a community, could be proud of.

Once again the proposal is rejected. Why? Because they called it a recreation centre not a community centre. My response: so what!

Not enough consultation? My response: we’ve been talking about this for years, get on with it!

Too expensive? My response: we can’t afford not to!

Bob Thompson

Devine, B.C.

 

WEB strategy still in development

Further to your article "Questions, answers for WEB" printed in the April 7 edition of the Pique, I would like to respond on behalf of the Whistler Events Bureau (WEB), as we have received a number of questions and comments in response to the article.

WEB, a tri-organization approach to events, was envisioned by the RMOW, Whistler-Blackcomb and Tourism Whistler to better leverage existing resources, to create greater efficiencies and processes, to grow both Whistler-produced and third-party-produced events, and to increase the resort-wide commitment to, and focus on, events – all for the benefit of growing tourism to Whistler.

While there will be challenges to manage along the way, the three organizations are committed to facilitating a seamless approach to event organization, and improving the overall event experience in Whistler – both for producers and consumers alike.

The article printed in last week’s Pique contained information that was unfortunately both premature and inaccurate. While there has been agreement by the three organizations to house WEB within Tourism Whistler’s Festivals & Events Department, the long term strategy for WEB is still in development, and the practical application of that strategy, including budgets, employees, roles, responsibilities and timelines is yet to be confirmed.

Upon completion of our strategy; however, we would be keen to provide the Pique with an in-depth interview to share the plans with your readers.

Barrett Fisher

President

Tourism Whistler

 

Nordic centre rezoning concerns

RE: Application for rezoning of Callaghan Valley as it appears in Pique, pg. 29, and Whistler Question, pg. B11, both from April 7 th .

It is disconcerting that a facility as large as the proposed Whistler Nordic Centre is being placed into known grizzly range and increasing the impacts on an already stressed ecological area in our wilderness backyard. Now it appears that a bylaw amendment (No.495, Amendment Bylaw No. 913, 2005) for the Callaghan Valley has been submitted to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District which represents the potential for significant ecological impacts to the area. This should be worrying to anybody who cares about the long-term integrity of our provincial parks and surrounding natural spaces.

Concern 1: Maintain Callaghan Provincial Park’s Protected Status.

The bylaw amendment includes the majority of Callaghan Lake Provincial Park. If successful, the new zoning would apply to this protected area opening it up to "post-Olympic uses." This could include, but is not limited to, commercial enterprises in the future. The protected status presently in place would be altered, putting at risk the future of this area as well as increasing pressure on available recreational resources. Provincial parks exist to preserve inherent ecological value as well as for the recreational enjoyment of everyone. If a provincial park is rezoned for commercial activity, it sets a precedent with far reaching implications for other wilderness areas.

Concern 2: Limit the overall footprint of the Whistler Nordic Centre

The amount of space required for the 2010 Games and the associated post-Games ventures needs to be kept to an absolute minimum. The Callaghan valley is used by grizzly bears (confirmed by studies conducted by B.C. Parks as well as VANOC) as well as a number of other species. Grizzlies are a threatened species: all potential impacts resulting from the WNC must be reviewed and evaluated to avoid additional pressure on this area. VANOC has already identified the protection and enhancement of natural systems as a key part of their sustainability policy. VANOC’s inclusion of sustainability principles helped lead members of the IOC to select Vancouver-Whistler as the 2010 Olympic host. This is also part of the reason why AWARE continues to advocate for a wildlife refuge in the upper Soo Valley.

While the arrival of the Olympics is inevitable, we need to speak out against unnecessary degradation of our limited wilderness areas. The SLRD public hearing for the rezoning application is being held on Monday, April 18 th at 7 p.m. in the Spruce Grove Field House. Learn the facts and express your opinion. AWARE encourages everyone to educate themselves on the changes that are being put forward. Inform yourself and come out to this public hearing. The changes being made now in our wilderness backyard will affect all of us well into the future.

Brad Kasselman

President

The Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment

 

Council’s tunnel vision

I am dismayed to read that council is looking at the "tunnel option."

Why does council want to get involved in a purely politically-motivated issue of a tiny minority in the Horseshoe Bay area of West Vancouver? This group does not like the ferries, they do not like the highway, they want to bury it!

The environmental reasons raised by "one-issue" Dennis Perry and the West Vancouver Council are red herrings for selfish motives.

Firstly, they do not want to share the panoramic Howe Sound views with non-West Vancouverites and secondly, they want to see multimillion dollar home sites developed on the Eagleridge bluffs – this is in their long-range plan.

The overland route is scenic – stunningly panoramic – a proud and wonderful gateway to the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler, and is safer and cheaper. For tourists and regular users, as well as taxpayers, what more can you ask for?

Tunnels are disasters, especially in emergency responses and what kind of views do you have in a hole in a rock?

Finally, I am assured by the Ministry that the decision has been made to construct the overland route and that contracts will be let soon.

Clive V. Nylander

Whistler

 

A case for proportional representation

As we head into the next provincial election political parties are proving that campaign trails are the best source of situational comedy available. The Liberals are pumping out laughable lies, the NDP produce implausible puns and the Greens concoct biodegradable bull. But, as side-splitting as their acts are, the real funnies are the fringe parties' websites.

Here are a few of my favourites:

The B.C. Party site (www.bcparty.com) can best be described as a fifth grader's attempt at web design while experimenting with recreational drugs.

The Annexation Party of B.C.'s site (www.annexationbc.com) looks like it was done by someone's teenager who would have rather been playing Star Wars Galaxy. As laughable as the design is, the content is straight out of a Hee Haw script.

The British Columbia Citizens Alliance Now site (www.bccitizensalliancenow.com) looks like it was designed by George Bush Junior. I fully expected to hear duelling banjos and barking dogs playing as their red, white and blue forever theme blasted my eyes.

The Reform B.C. site (www.reformbc.net) remarkably mimics the British Columbia Citizens Alliance Now site – or vice versa.

The British Columbia Social Credit site (www.bcsocialcredit.bc.ca) even provides "references"!

The B.C. Marijuana party site (www.bcmarijuanaparty.com) cleverly suggests how to incorporate pot into every political and social issue. Probably funded by eyedrop, snack and fast food corporations, its mandate should be "Forget About It."

The People of British Columbia Millionaires Party sounds great, but unfortunately, can't afford a website.

The Work Less Party (www.worklessparty.org) design solidly reflects its core values and had me ready to order their "Alarm Clocks Kill Dreams" campaign buttons.

My favourite site?

Hands down, it's the The Sex Party (www.thesexparty.ca). Central to their strategy is to run candidates in elections. Wow, what a novel idea! This is a must visit site for sure. Why let politicians do to us what we can already do to each other?

With the B.C. Liberals copying the former NDP strategy of buying votes with pre-election cash infusions, why waste your vote on those who can't be taken seriously when you can vote for those who shouldn't be? Vote in a government of clowns – after all, isn't it all about voting for a "party"?

Will Lewis

Prince George

 

Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you very much

To all of our friends and neighbours who donated time and funds to help Elvis through his surgery (the removal of what is now the most expensive sock in history!).

Rosanne and John, Jenny/Derek and Nelson, Jay/Tracey and Jewels, Darlene and Dennis, Michelle, and Leslie.

Extra big sloppy dog kisses to Alan and Flash – your generosity exemplifies the great friends you are…

Also to Dr. Dave and the caring crew at Coast Mountain Vet Clinic – you are all exceptionally helpful and understanding.

And a word to our community…

Since we arrived here in 2000, we have become acquainted with some exceptional people, from all sectors of professions, economics, age groups, and interests. Whistler has an amazing energy, thanks to the eclectic nature of the town’s residents – so many hardworking, caring people who make time to play in the midst of it all.

We are proud and pleased to have made Whistler our home.

On behalf of Lauren, Max, and Elvis, sincere thanks.

Lori Edwards

Whistler