In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1982. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: Summers in the early 1980s were not exactly busy – some businesses even closed for the season – though there were some efforts to draw visitors to the area. The Whistler Golf Course, which had begun as a 9-hole course (learn more about that here), was being expanded in the summer of 1982 with hopes that it would drive more summer visitors to Whistler.
Question: How valuable an asset do you think the golf course will be to Whistler?
Robin Crumley – Manager, Whistler Village Inn – Alpine Meadows – Occasional Golfer
It’s indispensable. It Whistler is to become a summer resort, not only is the golf course indispensable, but all the other attractions necessary for a summer resort are indispensable as well. You can’t have a resort in a vacuum.
Since skiing is the main attraction, people who come here are already sports-oriented. It’s much better to extend the market you already have into the summer months.
John Carter – Manager, Tantalus Lodge – Tantalus Lodge – Occasional Golfer
It’s a good selling point. But the economics of it are questionable because of the limited number of people who can actually play in one day.
About 300 people a day can play, and there’s about 4000 commercial beds in this valley.
I think tennis courts are a much more valuable asset. They’re cheaper to build, cheaper to maintain and surveys show that they’re used more than golf courses.
Diane Eby – Past President of Whistler Ratepayers Association – Emerald Estates – Non-golfer
I think it’s an absolute necessity as a summer attraction for tourists.
My only concern is that is not become a horrendous burden to the local taxpayer, and I’d like to see some answers from Council on how this will be avoided.
$89,000 is slated for the golf course this year. What will it be next year?
Jim Kennedy – Labourer – Westside Rode – Occasional Golfer
I think it’s going to be a liability as opposed to an asset.
There’s only so many people who can shoot a round of golf in a day – not like skiing which can accommodate 10,000 people a day.
I’d also be surprised if it will be reasonably priced for local people to play a round of golf. It’s going to take a lot of money just to maintain it.
Pascal Simon – Roofer – Alpine Meadows – Non-golfer
I would say any improvement, such as a development like this, would be an asset to the tourists and the locals. It has to be worth it – we’re going to pay for it after all.
Harry Carman – Unemployed – Adventures West – Golfer
I think it will make the difference between this community making or breaking it.
It will help bring conventions in, providing they get the other facilities set up as well.
I’m sure it will attract more people in the summer months which will help all the businesses.
I’m real anxious for them to finish it. Needless to say, I’m a player.
Loved it and seeing the young familiar faces, some became avid golfers!
Loved it and seeing the young familiar faces, some became avid golfers!