The American Friends of Whistler announced a $50,000 donation to the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program's (WASP) new "Welcome and Equipment Centre" at Whistler Blackcomb.
"The American Friends of Whistler have been so generous in their support of the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program," said Chelsey Walker, WASP Executive Director. "Their donation of $50,000 brings the total community support of this project to $375,000. Approximately 35 per cent of our clientele are Americans with a disability and this funding will have a significant impact on the visitors and locals who use our programs."
"Thanks to the support of the American Friends of Whistler and other community partners, the new centre will provide a lasting legacy of inclusion for Whistler," said Mayor and AFOW Board Member, Ken Melamed. "Our community is working hard to improve local accessibility and inclusion in all areas of community life, including sport. Whistler has benefited tremendously from the work of WASP and AFOW's contribution will go a long way towards making the centre a reality."
The donation of $50,000 contributes to the lasting community legacy being created for Jeff Harbers, an AFOW co-founder and its first president. The American Friends of Whistler join First Canadian Development Corp., the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and Scotiabank in supporting the project.
"The American Friends of Whistler has been very impressed with WASP's work and is honoured to be part of this project which will enable its further growth" said Rod Rohda, President of the American Friends of Whistler."
"The community of Whistler has embraced our new facility and the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program will continue to work hard to raise the final $125,000 to complete the building," said Walker.
The proposed "Welcome and Equipment Centre" at Whistler Blackcomb is a two-storey, stand-alone building at mid-station on Whistler Mountain and will replace the current WASP Equipment Centre provided by the Rotary Club of Whistler in 2000. It is an open, welcoming, accessible facility that would be used by the participants in the Whistler Adaptive Ski and Ride Program, as well as WASP's Hiking and Para-Alpine Ski Racing programs. The upper floor will be used for program services, while the lower floor would be used for additional storage and maintenance. The plans for the new facility will allow for many more years of significant growth by the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program.
