Who wanted Whistler Stables to close is still not clear, but both the municipality and the developers of the proposed Riverside Campground say they want the stables back. However, the developers have asked that the development permit process continue as it is, without the stables, and they will apply to amend their proposal to allow the stables after their permit has been issued. "They’d like to see the stables but they don’t want to slow the development permit process," Mayor Hugh O’Reilly told council Monday. Whistler Stables, which has operated on land between Mons and Spruce Grove Park for 17 years, were given notice to vacate last month by the Riverside Campground developers. The developers say they were directed by the municipality, as a condition of zoning for the campground, to remove the stables. However, the municipal planning department could find no record of removal of the stables as a condition of zoning. "There wasn’t a phone call from municipal hall saying ‘close the stables’," Councillor Ken Melamed said Monday. "That’s true," O’Reilly said, but he added who’s right and who’s wrong is not the issue. "No matter how thin the batter, there’s two sides to the pancake," O’Reilly said. The Riverside Campground proposal has received third reading but final adoption of the bylaws is subject to a number of conditions being met by the developers. Municipal staff were to meet with the campground proponents this week to try and resolve those conditions. Both sides say they hope the campground will be built next summer. As the situation stands now, the development permit should be issued for a campground without stables. If the stables are added later the pitch and putt golf course included in the campground plans would likely have to be reduced in size.
