For the first time in recent memory, the Resort Municipality of Whistler will invite suppliers to bid on next year's asphalt contract.
The move comes after Councillor Ralph Forsyth put forward a motion to review how the municipality gets its asphalt.
He received unanimous support around the council table.
"Asphalt plants by their nature need to move from place to place," said Councillor Eckhard Zeidler.
"Just because this one happens to be in Whistler and is increasingly looking like it is bolted in the ground... doesn't mean there aren't other ones that could possibly move and I think it is time we look at other ones."
In a report to council Ron Sander, manager of environmental operations, explained that based on the heat requirements for asphalt, Alpine Paving is the only asphalt vender the municipality can use.
"The current method of procurement is an annual negotiation between the local supplier (Alpine) and the Resort Municipality of Whistler Roads Supervisor in the spring of each year to reach a confidential preferred rate on a per meter basis," wrote Sander.
The municipality budgets about $65,000 per year on road construction, with less than 50 per cent of that typically spent on asphalt.
Alpine Paving is the company that operates the asphalt plant near Cheakamus Crossing. Owner Frank Silveri is also in charge of Whistler Aggregates, the company involved with the nearby quarry.
