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 1986. 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: This one seems pretty self explanatory, so we think we’ll leave it there.
Question: Do you think Whistler has enough culture?
Roberta Stewart – Owner/Manager – Emerald Estates
It’s beautiful on the physical side, but it doesn’t have any culture. I think it’s something that hasn’t happened here much because it takes a very dedicated person to organize something like that. Like this man who’s bringing improvisational theatre to the Rainbow. It needs a lot of support, people going to it for one thing. Maybe with an increase in population we’ll see more of it. Whistler offers so much on the physical side. It’s not that people aren’t interested.
Mundigier Ferdinand – Retired – Victoria
It has a little bit. It’s beautiful, I think it has the potential to be like the resorts in Bavaria and Austria, but it doesn’t reach it. It’s too commercialized, one building on top of another, no space to breathe, like Waikiki. This square is fantastic, but needs something in the middle. The outdoor cafes are fantastic. But the buildings are too square and plain, like boxes. It doesn’t feel homey. If you go to places in Europe, you don’t forget them. But the surroundings here are really beautiful.
Kim Hauner – Businessman – Vancouver
No, it doesn’t have enough culture. But I don’t think people want culture here. So the answer is, yes, it has enough culture. You don’t come to Whistler for cultural stimulation, you come here for nature and to socialize, to relax. A permanent cultural thing, like an art gallery, wouldn’t work. But you could certainly bring up more theatre and events. A movie festival or Shakespeare festival would probably work.