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 1983. 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: In the early 1980s, Roy Ferris (who also developed the Highland Lodge in the 1960s and was a founder of the Toni Sailer Ski Camp) planned to develop a large, twelve court tennis club adjacent to Lost Lake Park. In September 1983 he was approached by Ernie Hnatiak, general manager of Whistler Land Co. Developments (WLC), who proposed using the courts at Myrtle Philip in the winter by placing an air-supported bubble over the four courts. WLC was committed to hosting as many as 2,000 people during the World Cup week in the spring and required a covered space large enough to hold them as the Conference Centre was still under construction. In return for using public property, Ferris would allocate time in the courts’ schedule for use by local residents and the club would provide teaching programs and adult education programs, all with a minimal cost for residents. Ferris also offered annual resurfacing of the courts. The bubble would be temporary, and taken down when the snow melted.
Question: Will you be using the covered tennis courts at Myrtle Philip School this winter?
Max MacDonald – Ski Instructor – Whistler Village
Tennis isn’t that big up here. It’ll be like the golf course – if they get a good pro, which I’m sure they will, and a good coaching program it’ll be a good facility. I don’t have any idea what the cost should be, but I’ll go out of my way to afford it.
Doug Barr – Carpenter – Emerald Estates
If I can afford both skiing and tennis I’ll be out there playing. Skiing will come first, though. I’ve played at a private club – I think we paid $10 per hour.
Gary Byrne – Hotel Employee – Alta Vista
I don’t think I’ll have the time, even though I played in the summer. It’ll get a lot of use right off the bat. I think a fair number of locals will use it, but it might be hard for a lot of people to pay for passes.