Nordic not place for employee-housing building
Our beloved Nordic is still under attack.
The developer of the single-family lot at 2077 Garibaldi Way is now proposing 48 apartments in two buildings, that is 144 bed units. The only access in and out of this lot is through a quiet cul-de-sac.
Zoning in established neighbourhoods should be honoured and respected. Otherwise, (the zoning) becomes meaningless.
If we are about preserving the "spirit and soul of Whistler," why has council voted to proceed with the review of this development proposal?
So many people have been so deeply upset by this. This development proposal in our lovely neighbourhood is truly outrageous.
That municipal staff and council have chosen to consider it shows disregard to Nordic residents.
Kathleen Laczina
Whistler
Embracing e-bikes
Thank you Dee Raffo for your refreshing and informative article in last week's Pique—"The Contentious E Bike Debate—Fact vs. Opinion."
Features such as this not only clear up common misconceptions about pedal-assisted e-bikes, but also move the discussion forward.
As a lifetime biker and owner of a pedal-assisted e-bike, I found the concerns and comments of WORCAs representatives to be misguided and fallible. Craig Mackenzie, the organization's president, stated, "...e-bikes can go twice the distance and place more wear and tear on trails...," which leads to "increased maintenance costs."
If this is truly the case then it would only be fair to consider a few other factors that cause damage to the trail network; enduro races, The BC Bike Race, toonie events, club/group rides and so on.
Also worth noting is planning director Todd Hellinga's comment that "I don't believe you are entitled to access places (backcountry trails) simply because you have the technology to get there." If that's the case, it would also be wise to bring the use of other common technologies such as floatplanes, helicopters and vehicles under more scrutiny with respect to their role in trail degradation.
At every junction in human history, innovation and technology has been met with criticism and scepticism. I'm sure there were a few penny-farthing riders that feared the chain.
I may be going to hell in a bucket, but at least I'm enjoying the ride!
Christyne Gillis
Pemberton
Action needed to control trail use at Mountainview
It may have come to your attention through the bylaw department and/or the residents of Mountainview Drive that the access to the alpine trail networks from our residential street has been severely congested and overtaken by hikers and illegal campers for the spring and summer seasons of 2018.
The uppermost cul-de-sac of Mountainview Drive is constantly abused through illegal parking of cars, trucks and camping vehicles on weekends, and most days of the week all summer. During the height of the fire season people at the end of the street were barbecuing with open flames.
Most residents have been aware of the traffic and inconvenienced by the parking but have not revolted. The situation has become intolerable. Many of the illegally parked vehicles go away with a warning and not a ticket for infraction, and the residents are finding that "guests" of the street are taking advantage of the lack of ticketing by the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) to take over the quiet residential street at their pleasure.
The fact that information online and through websites makes (Mountainview's) access to the trails common knowledge worldwide (is part of the root cause of our complaints) to mayor and council. Not enough is being done to police the access on this residential street. One questions whether or not a thorough follow through on activity on the trail network with (associated) parking considerations was done during the years of planning and executing the trails themselves?
The following issues have come up for the Mountainview residents as a result of the congestion problems this season:
•Where will trail users park when Mountainview parking is not available because of congestion?
•How will the illegal parking be managed?
•How will illegal campers on the street be managed by the RMOW?
•Who will clean up the toilet paper and poop in the bush?
•How will communication be done to educate the public that uses the trails?
•How will the RMOW communicate to residents regarding plans to police (manage) the area?
•What happens when the illegal parkers park in our driveways, as has happened?
•How long will it take for a bylaw person to be on scene when a resident calls because of a compromised situation?
Jessie and Jack Pendygrasse
Whistler
Brandywine Boogie No. 4
Big shout out to our community for the huge efforts at our fourth Brandywine Boogie trail run. We had a chilly start on Saturday, Sept. 22, but the rain held off and almost 100 runners and walkers joined in the fun.
This event would not happen without the generosity of our major sponsor Helly Hansen! Thanks HH! Shout outs to our other key partners, Whistler Creekside Athletic Club, Back in Action, Nesters Market, Whistler FM and Arts Whistler. A big, big thank you to Canadian Wilderness which stepped in at the last minute offering transport to our cold and tired athletes.
Awesome prizes were donated by many businesses and organizations in the community. Thank you so much for your ongoing support.
With runners from Richmond throughout the Sea to Sky, the U.K. and Czech Republic, our local runners were strong!
Michael Murdoch was first, Chris Bowen second, and Kyle Leitch took third. Joe Davies took the youth medal. Czech visitor Renata Vocaskova came first, Karen North was second and Claire Thomas was third.
Thanks to our amazing volunteers from the Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium and Zero Ceiling. Thanks to Jim Budge for the stunning photography, Kevin Tennock, sweep and first aid and Graham McFetridge, the humour behind the mic.
Lastly, thanks to all of our runners from far and wide. See you next year for No. 5!
Shannon Kirkwood
President, Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium
Pemberton Barn Dance thanks
On Sept. 22 the Rotary Club of Pemberton and the Pemberton Lions got together and hosted another Pemberton Barn Dance. This has turned out to become Pemberton's party of the year, and the Chris Buck Band and Northern Ignition put on a fantastic show!
The event could not have happened without the support of the people and businesses that believe in the dance, and the work that the two clubs do in our community. Our lead sponsors were the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, the Village of Pemberton, Blackcomb Helicopters, the Pemberton Valley Lodge, Sabre Rentals, Walsh Restorations, and Whistler Real Estate.
There were many other sponsors and businesses that helped us have a successful and fun evening including those that helped with the hay, the food and more.
Our security team should be commended as well, and we know the work required to put on the dance depends on a great (and big) team as well—thanks to them all.
The Rotarians involved were Phill Read, Dave DenDuyf, Richard Megeney, James Linklater, Sheldon Tetreault and Dan Cindric.
The Lions involved were Cynthia Hood, Dave Russell, Grizz Robinson, Jan Kennett, Lloyd Miller, Anne Murat, Nadio Hachey, Melanie Lewis, Paul Martin, Rob Meilleur, Shawn O'Leary, Stan Kelly, Tony Medd, Peter Vandenberg, Mary Wolfe, Mike Jensen, and Sharon Hanson. Thank you to Linda DenDuyf for being their lead coordinator.
It is a pleasure being able to work with so many willing and capable people! I should mention that if you want to find a way to give back to your community, being a member of the Rotary or Lions' clubs is a great way to do it. If you recognize any of these names let one of them know that you'd like to get involved!
Please forgive me if I forgot to mention anyone.
To the neighbours around the downtown barn: thank you for the grace you extend to us so that we can hold this fundraiser at this great venue, and to the people who came to the event: thank you for supporting us, you know how to party!
Steven Hitchen
Event Director, Rotarian
Tennis and Whistler, a love story
Last Friday evening, the Whistler Museum and the Whistler Tennis Association celebrated the opening of a new exhibit "100 Years of Tennis in Whistler" to a full house.
Museum curator, Brad Nichols, recently discovered that Myrtle Philip's Rainbow Lodge had a tennis court in 1918 and held regular tournaments on the property. Since that time, organized community tennis has been played and enjoyed at various locations and venues throughout the valley.
We would like to thank the speakers who attended the event, shared their memories and told some very entertaining stories of their time in Whistler. These are professionals and coaches who have contributed to the sport of Tennis in Whistler over the past 35 years: Grant Connell, former world No. 1 Men's Doubles Champion and Canadian Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Marjorie Blackwood, two time Women's Doubles Wimbledon quarter finalist, French Open Women's Doubles quarter finalist, and also Canadian Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Peter Schelling, two time Canadian Masters Champion and Gary Winter, former Canadian Masters Indoor Doubles Champion.
Mayor-elect Jack Crompton attended and proposed a toast to the next 100 years of tennis in Whistler.
A big thank you to the Whistler Museum staff, the Whistler Tennis Association board members and volunteers who helped to make this event such a success. The exhibit runs until Oct. 28.
John Konig
Whistler
Whistler Active Seniors' Day
On Monday, Oct. 1, the Mature Action Community invited the community to come and join us to celebrate Whistler Active Seniors' Day on National Seniors' Day at the Tennis club.
Although the weather wasn't exactly stellar, many people came out and enjoyed the afternoon with a chance to speak to the many service providers in the Sea to Sky corridor, learn to play Pickle Ball, try chair yoga and be engaged in discussions about the latest Vital Signs report on our community.
We would like to thank all the participants and, in particular, the donations from Nesters Market, Independent Grocer and Blenz for their contributions to the refreshments.
It was a big success and we hope to make it an annual event!
Stacey Murl
Chair, Mature Action Community
Whistler
Sister-city exchange fundraiser thanks
On behalf of all those participating in this year's Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) Sister City Exchange Program to Karuizawa, Japan we would like to thank everyone who has helped make it possible by contributing to our fundraiser on Sept. 18 at Creekbread, where nearly $3,000 was raised!
Every year this program provides a unique opportunity for 10 Whistler students to visit and experience Japanese culture. We would like to thank everyone who is helping to make it possible this year.
We would like to thank everyone at Creekbread for providing the venue for our fundraiser and the support of their staff, plus their financial donation per pizza.
We also had many people, businesses and organizations donate to our silent auction, which was a huge part of our success. Thank you.
A very special thanks as well to everybody in the community that came out and helped support us.
Lastly, we would like to thank the RMOW and Stephanie Nicoll-Russell for making this all possible.
Hugo Steiner
On behalf of the 2018 Whistler and Karuizawa RMOW's Sister City Exchange students
