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: The Alta Lake Inn (formerly known as the Christiana Inn) was sold in May 1985 when when the property was foreclosed upon. At the time, the RMOW did not have a lot of lakefront property on Alta Lake that could be used for parks and public access and so the idea of purchasing the former lodge was presented.
Question: Do you think the municipality should purchase the Alta Lake Inn (which recently sold for $357,000) for a park and more public access to the lakefront?
Tony Alonso – 3200 Block Archibald Way, Alta Vista – Contractor
Oh, I one hundred per cent agree. People always go over (across the street) and try to put their boats in, but not since they put up the fence and closed it. I think they should buy it back, if it’s possible. It should be for public access. I don’t think they should have let it go to begin with.
Carel Hendricks – 3300 Block Lakeside, Alta Vista – Homemaker
Yes I do. The municipality should spend more money on another park. If you could have seen the cars parked right up to our driveway, about 200 yards away from Wayside Park – well, I think they just ran out of parking spaces. The municipality has to reconcile all the different uses, windsurfing, swimming and fishing, and I think they should provide more public access with more parking facilities.
John Charters – 3300 Block Lakeside, Alta Vista – Retired
It might be a good idea but it might cost us a lot in taxes. I would say now that our taxes are quite high enough for what we get. No, it’s only the odd times that cars bother me. I think over at Rainbow would be an idea spot for a beach.