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 1985. 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: After five years (minus some pauses) of construction, the Whistler Conference Centre was nearing completion by May 1985 and had an expected opening date of June 1. It was expected that the opening of the Conference Centre would bring more business to Whistler, especially during the off-season (in 1985, that was everything except the winter) with conferences and other large bookings. When it opened, the Conference Centre was reportedly the second largest conference centre in BC, accommodating up to 2,000 people (the Peach Bowl in Penticton had a capacity of 2,100).
Question: What plans is your business making for the opening of the Conference Centre?
Araxi Evrensel – Owner, First Run – Whistler Cay
We do our stock buying six months in advance and we’ve bought extra stock in preparation for the summer and the Conference Centre. We’ll be open every day compared to last summer when we were closed quite a lot. We’ve also hired another full-time person and we’re planning to be open almost as much as we are in the winter.
Dave Murphy – Co-owner, Cantrav Whistler Leisure Connection – Alpine Meadows
We have actually restructured ourselves in preparation for the opening of the Conference Centre. We’ve gone from The Leisure Connection to Cantrav Whistler Leisure Connection and allied ourselves with a firm that deals with conference business. We haven’t hired any new staff, but we’re in a wait and see period, a trial period like everyone else.
Dave Kirk – Owner, Village Sportstop and Whistler Village Sports – Alta Vista
It’s busier now than it was in any previous year at this time. We’ll be open our regular hours – 10 to 5 on weekdays and 9 to 6 on weekends – but we’ll accommodate any increased customer demands as quickly as possible. We’ll do whatever the traffic warrants.