The Town Plaza area went under the microscope in the first of what is expected to be a series of neighbourhood-level planning projects.
Late in June over the course of two half-day sessions retailers, landowners, stakeholders and staff with the Resort Municipal of Whistler (RMOW) got together to look at the neighbourhood from the Ted Nebbeling Bridge to Sightlines Bridge and discuss the future of the area, which includes Bear Lodge, Eagle Lodge, Deer Lodge the Public Safety Building, Municipal Hall, Delta Whistler Village Suites and Millennium Place.
Drew Meredith participated in the planning process, dubbed Bridge to Bridge by the RMOW, as a member of the Business Enhancement Committee.
"This is actually one of the deliverables of this committee to organize these neighbourhoods and bring the tenants and landlords together to talk about things that can be done to improve things," said Meredith.
He said the first day was spent talking about the features of the area and the next day a walkabout was done to take a look.
"Its pretty enlightening when you are out on the street," said Meredith.
One of the people involved in the initiative is Maria Wood, of Appia Development (Whistler) Inc, which operates the Bear, Deer and Eagle Lodges
"Resort and retail landscapes all over the world forever evolve", said Wood. "Working with the RMOW and our tenants to develop a Bridge to Bridge neighbourhood concept will enhance the Whistler Resort Experience for visitors and tenants alike."
Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden described the Bridge to Bridge project as something unique for Whistler.
The mayor's involvement was limited to greeting the participants in the process and then speaking with a few of them afterwards.
"It sounds like a lot of really good ideas came out of the sessions," says Wilhelm-Morden.
According to the mayor, a report back to council is expected and in that report she hopes to see a list of things the RMOW can do to make the area a more distinct neighbourhood. She said she isn't aware of a timeline from this point but the momentum generated from the neighbourhood meetings encourages her.
