Whistler residents will get their own free guidebook and keepsake for the 2010 Games, courtesy of the Resort Municipality of Whistler.
On Monday, Jan. 18 the "2010 Games Planner" will be available for residents.
"No one's ever done anything quite like this before," said Michele Comeau, the RMOW's manager of communications.
It's designed to be the locals' guide to the Games. Different sections will allow residents to stay up to date on things like transportation, and a day-to-day section outlines what the highlights are for any particular day. It also includes tips and reminders, designed to help people maximize their Games experience.
"Things will be quite different in Whistler during the Games," said Comeau. "Even though it's our town and we know it inside and out, it won't be quite the day to day that we're used to."
The pocket size book spans a two-month period from Feb. 1 until the end of March.
"It's intended to be something that you can take with you when you're on your way to an event... and reference throughout the day," explained Comeau.
In addition to being packed full of information, the 2010 Games Planner also has blank pages for residents to record memories, get autographs, or insert photos. There's a pocket as well that may be used to store any tickets or Games mementoes.
Residents can pick up their Games Planner at three different locations - municipal hall, the Meadow Park Sports Centre, and the library.
The municipality has ordered 12,000 copies. Residents will have to show identification or a bill to prove their local residence.
"We've planned for one per household and they're free of charge," said Comeau.
The information will also be fully available on the Whistler2010.com website.
The municipality made a conscious decision to have the planner printed on 100 per cent post consumer recycled fibre, which results in 19 tonnes of wood saved. It is also FSC certified (Forest Stewardship Council), a certification system that promotes responsible forest management worldwide.
Local design company Origin Design + Communications created the planner.
The money to pay for the planner comes out of the $500,000 Communication and Community Engagement budget. That is part of the overall $8.6 million municipal Games budget. The money comes from the two per cent hotel tax, and therefore not from local property taxes.
