Council gave thumbs up to the latest plan to install lights at day skier lot 4 - but not without some resistance.
Mayor Ken Melamed and Councillor Ralph Forsyth both voted against spending $100,000 on lighting for the parking lot near Lorimer Road because they both believe this is a place where the municipality can save money.
"I see this as something we can put off at this time and save $100,000," said Melamed. "I would ask council to consider whether this is a nice-to-have or if this is something they consider to be essential."
Forsyth echoed the mayor's concerns, adding that he does not want to "spend money."
The municipality's plan to pave Lot 4 is a joint project with the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC), with the Olympic committee contributing $700,000 to and Whistler now providing $325,000.
Originally, council was considering spending $625,000 on the project. Under the new budget, Lot 4 won't be as clearly illuminated, but at least the parking lot will at be lit, explained the municipality's manager of environmental projects, James Hallisey.
Despite Melamed and Forsyth's opposition, the rest of council gave municipal staff the go-ahead to light up Lot 4.
"I think it is incumbent on us to make it a safe environment," said Councillor Tom Thomson.
And Chris Quinlan also spoke to the lot's safety, saying: "I think we do have some responsibility to provide some measure of safety."
Lot 4 will sport the new coat of asphalt in time for the 2010 Winter Games next February.
