Jon Paine – Whistler Museum and Archives Society

Whistler's Answers

Whistler’s Answers: November 27, 1986Whistler’s Answers: November 27, 1986

November 27, 2025 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 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: In November 1986, BC Place Ltd. presented three options for the long-term development of Lands North (today Village North) to the public at a public engagement event in the Conference Centre. At the time, BC Place Ltd. owned most of the land slated for development, apart from the section owned by the school district where Myrtle Philip School was located.

Question: What do you think of the three options for Lands North?

Geoff Power – Businessman – Alpine Meadows

None of the options really address the integration of locals, cabin-based and tourists. If you believe the three groups should mix, then you don’t put all the convenience parking in one part of Lands North, you spread it around town. Each option separates the local retail from the tourist-oriented shops. The important thing is that locals and tourists have a chance to mix. The beauty of what we’ve got here is the integration of locals and tourists.

Al Raine – Businessman – Brio

It’s not simply three options, it’s a little bit of each. They really made a mistake just asking people which option they want. But it was a wonderful exercise in stimulating people into thinking about what is possible, and we have an opportunity to go away and think about it. When we get into more detailed planning, we’ll have a better sense of what’s possible. I think there are some options they left out that hopefully will be explored.

Jon Paine – Building Consultant – Tapley’s Farm

As far as a preference, I prefer a combination between two and three. I’m quite excited about the whole thing. The expansion is looking very good and I’m impressed with Norm Hotson’s presentation of the options. My big concern with any of them would be that they don’t deal with convenience parking for the existing village. There’s a danger this could turn into tourist shops, bars and restaurants, and you would lose the mix of locals and tourists essential for a good resort experience.

Building the Dandelion DaycareBuilding the Dandelion Daycare

November 19, 2024 Whistler Museum 0 Comments

In 1983, plans for a community centre that included daycare space and the need for more childcare options in Whistler led to the founding of the Dandelion Daycare Society (DDS). Though the community centre did not come to fruition, the DDS raised funds for the community centre that were then put towards their own daycare facility. In January 1984, the DDS began operating out of the former Beau’s Restaurant at the Rainbow ski area while working towards their own purpose-built facility. The DDS ran a “licensed, cooperative daycare” and could take up to 35 children ages 3 to 5.

By the summer of 1984, talk of a community centre had died down but plans for a daycare building were moving ahead. In June, the Baxter Group offered the DDS two A-frames that they’d been using for their development in today’s Creekside area, if the society could find a site to move them to. The council considered a site for the buildings at Meadow Park, which was under development; however, the use of this site was not approved by the province.

The mountains offered various forms of childcare throughout the years (including ski school), but it was not year-round and sometimes was only available to visiting skiers. Whistler Mountain Ski Corporation Collection

Still searching for a permanent home, the DDS continued to explore various sites and fundraise, beginning with their first annual Children’s Walk-a-Thon in August 1983. 44 children aged one to eight (and their parents) participated in the 1km walk from Alta Vista to the Myrtle Philip School and raised over $1,000 for the building. They also held auctions (in June 1984, Jon and Sue Paine won a year’s worth of overnight babysitting courtesy of Sophie Trouwborst while Dave Cathers bid on his own contribution of babysitting when he learned how many children he and Connie could end up responsible for for a day) and had fundraising tables at community events like the Fall Fair.

Following the publication of a Community Facilities Study in March 1985 that called for expanded daycare facilities in Whistler, the municipality asked the province for a Crown land grant for a daycare site located beside the BC Telephone building on Lorimer Road. Their application was successful and, with a confirmed site, work on a new preschool facility moved quickly. By the time the first Whistler’s Night, a gala dinner and auction that raised over $12,000 for the building, took place in April, construction had reportedly already begun.

By November 1985, thanks to continued fundraising efforts and a lot of volunteer construction work, the DDS was planning an open house in the new building, as well as preregistration for December and January spots. They also hosted a party for everyone who participated in the construction of the building on November 29, though the official opening of the daycare facility was delayed by a week as organizers and volunteers had to complete the building before it could be licensed. According to DDS president Connie Cathers, they still needed to finish the interior plumbing and wiring and were also looking for donations of educational toys.

Children join Mayor Terry Rodgers at the official ribbon cutting ceremony in January 1986. Whistler Question Collection, 1986

The Dandelion Daycare Society opened their first purpose-built preschool facility in Whistler on December 9, 1985, with an official ribbon-cutting in January 1986. The facility was built entirely from community contributions, whether through fundraising efforts or donated labour, and some businesses and the Whistler Rotary Club continued to fundraise to help outfit the new building with more equipment and supplies.

Seventeen children attended the first day of operations, though it was expected that it would quickly reach capacity. It wasn’t long before planning began for another facility, the Whistler Children’s Centre that opened next to the Dandelion Daycare building in 1991. Other programs and facilities have also opened in the valley as childcare needs in Whistler have continued to grow, with waiting lists a common phenomenon for families.

Whistler’s Answers: February 17, 1983Whistler’s Answers: February 17, 1983

February 17, 2022 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 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: An alternative route between Vancouver and the Garibaldi area through the Capilano Watershed was first proposed back in 1929, prior to the construction of Highway 99. In the early 1980s, a transportation committee with representatives from throughout the Howe Sound corridor, brought the idea back as an alternative to upgrading the existing route. Public opinion was divided over where the alternate route could be located, with some arguing the Capilano Watershed route would not change anything for Whistler, some arguing the proposal would interfere with a major fresh water source for Vancouver, and more arguing that the cost would be too high. At the time, the Duffy Lake Road was not open during the winter, though some proposed creating a circle route that would go from Whistler up through Lillooet and back to Vancouver.

Question: Are you in favour of the alternative route to Whistler going through Capilano Watershed?

Jon Paine – Structural Engineer – Emerald Estates

I think they should open the road that already goes through the watershed for use as an emergency route then improve it for long term access. It is a lot shorter and cheaper to build than the Harrison Mills route. I wonder how they will deal with plowing though if the route is just to be used for emergencies.

Mike Cleven – Musician – Emerald Estates

The loop would be the more useful route as visitors can then go straight north from Seattle and avoid tie-ups in Vancouver. It would also cut off a lot of time in the drive from Calgary. It’s fine if it has to be gravel at first. We might as well ram it through and concentrate on a more holistic plan, one which will open all kinds of recreation opportunities, for the long run. I just don’t like the idea of using our watershed.

Art Reid – Professional Engineer – North Vancouver

Sure, I think it’s okay to use the watershed route. They can control traffic once it’s built and during the building of the road crews could be very careful not to disturb the balance. To me the longer circuit route just doesn’t make sense – it’s not an attractive alternative to the present route. That distance has to be kept under 100 miles.