Tag: Dave Kirk

Whistler's Answers

Whistler’s Answers: June 13, 1985Whistler’s Answers: June 13, 1985

June 13, 2024 Whistler Museum 0 Comments

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.

Whistler's Answers

Whistler’s Answers: August 5, 1982Whistler’s Answers: August 5, 1982

August 5, 2021 Whistler Museum 0 Comments

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: Talk of allowing gambling in Whistler was not new in the 1980s, but an economic downturn made the idea of casinos more attractive to some residents, who argued it would bring more revenue and stable year-round employment. In 1982, a group called the Concerned Citizens for Whistler was formed in support of bringing gambling to Whistler. However, their views were not shared by all Whistler residents and, at a meeting held in August 1982, it was decided that community members did not have enough information and that a study should be done on the subject. Some concerns discussed at the meeting included the social impact of gambling, the possible altered character of Whistler, and a loss of autonomy as the industry would be strictly controlled by the province.

Question: Did the meeting tonight change your mind about legalizing gambling at Whistler?

Editor’s Note: The following three people were interviewed immediately following the August 1st meeting conducted by Concerned Citizens For Whistler on legalized gambling.

Dave Kirk – Alta Vista

This is a sit-on-the-fence answer, but what did the meeting accomplish? It really didn’t give us any facts on which to base a decision.

But the fact that there was a meeting indicates there is definitely an interest shown – especially for more information.

Jenny Busdon – Housewife – Whistler Cay

I came to the meeting not knowing if I was for or against it. There’s lots of pros and cons – I still don’t have an opinion.

I think our first priority is establishing Whistler as a first-class destination resort and putting our energies into promoting what we presently have here.

When this is done, maybe a concept of this kind would be more viable a few years down the road.

Larry Gunn – Whistler Courier – Alpine Meadows

It didn’t really change my opinion, which is that I think there needs to be more research done before the matter is put before the community and Council to make a decision.

Personally, I’m in favour of legalized gambling, but with qualifications. I’m not in favour of it just anywhere, though.

I’d like to see it kept in a very small segment before it spreads and gets out of hand.

Editor’s Note: These three individuals responded to the question “Do you think gambling should be legalized in Whistler?” in the Nov. 26, 1981 issue of the Whistler Question. It is interesting to note that the responses at that time were much more direct. All six people answered with a definite “yes” or “no” – with four in favour and two against the idea.

Ralph Kowin – Emerald Estates

Yes. Every week thousands of people in BC head for Nevada to gamble, and the money they spend would be better kept in BC. It would create more jobs for Whistler on a year-round basis and help stabilize the highs and lows in the economy. The larger tax base from hotels and casinos would help relieve the burden from property owners.

Wayne Weis – Alpine Meadows

Personally, I have nothing against gambling, but I don’t think they should legalize it here. I don’t think the community as a whole would accept it and I don’t think we have the facilities here to warrant something like gambling.

Don Beverley – Alpine Meadows

Yes, it’s a good idea. Whistler’s trying to become a world-class destination resort and in order to compete with other resorts we have to have the facilities to attract the sophisti-world traveller. Besides skiing in the winter, and windsurfing in the summer, we need something that happens continuously all year round that will attract people.

Whistler's Answers

Whistler’s Answers: April 29, 1982Whistler’s Answers: April 29, 1982

April 29, 2021 Whistler Museum 0 Comments

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/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: A major recession hit North America in late 1981, with interest rates reaching up to 20%. While some buildings in the Whistler Village were completed, much of the first phase was still under construction. Construction of the Resort Centre (known today as the Conference Centre) began in March 1980 and was still ongoing in 1982. The original plans included an Olympic-sized ice rink, swimming pool, whirlpool, saunas, racquetball courts, squash court, restaurant and more. The proposed budget (not including operating costs) was in the $5.5 to 5.8 million range. In January 1983 the provincial government formed Whistler Land Co. Developments, a Crown corporation chaired by Chester Johnson to take over the liabilities and assets of the Whistler Village Land Company. Under Johnson the Resort Centre was reconstructed as a conference centre without the extra recreational facilities and construction was completed by 1986. You can find more information about the Resort Centre here.

Question: Would you be adverse to having any portion of your property taxes go towards finishing the Resort Centre?

Jim Crichton – Carpenter – Alpine Meadows

Yes. The original plan for the convention centre stipulated that the taxpayer was not to pay for it. Think it will be years before that thing is finished and I don’t want to be subsidizing it.

They should get a private developer to take it over and run it.

Barry Johnston – Social Psychologist – Alpine Meadows

I think everyone would say it depends on how much extra we have to pay in taxes.

If they did use our tax money, the Land Company would have to make a much closer accounting to property owners on how the money was spent.

David Kirk – Whistler Village Sports/Whistler Creek Ski Shop – Alta Vista

I would like to see a referendum held in order that some direction – whether it be positive or negative – be given the Land Company and municipality on this issue.

Charlie Doyle – Commercial Artist – MDC

I would be against having any portion of my property taxes going for that purpose.

It was a mistake on the part of the Land Company in estimating costs. Why should we bail them out? They certainly don’t bail out my mistakes.

The centre means something to them only as developers. If they were really interested in the community, they wouldn’t have made it such an epic of a building.

If we were given some benefit, maybe we should consider it. But we’ll end up paying both as taxpayers and as customers once the centre’s finished.

Mark Sadler – Contractor/Developer – Multiple commercial & residential property owner

That’s a difficult question to answer. My basic answer is yes, I would be against having any portion of my residential taxes used to finance the sports centre.

I would like to see the major users – namely commercial establishments which benefit the most – pay towards the completion of it, and that statement comes from me as a property owner in the Town Centre.

Why should we taxpayers be responsible for problems incurred by poor management, inflation and other factors?

Drew Meredith – Real Estate Agent – Alta Vista

No, not at all. I’ve been waiting a long time to see that building finished and I’d be willing to put out out of my own pocket for it.

The addition of a full ice area and squash and racquet-ball courts will be a definite asset to the community. It’s not going to be any cheaper in the future.

I wouldn’t be against having my taxes go towards it, providing the Land Company repays the municipality in the future when the real estate market perks up again.

This Week in Photos

This Week In Photos: December 13This Week In Photos: December 13

December 13, 2018 Whistler Museum 0 Comments

Before you got a parking spot or parking pass for being Citizen of the Year, the lucky winner received the Citizen of the Year plaque. Can you spot which year they rearranged the names to fit more on?