Tag: Terry Rodgers

Passing Under Highway 99Passing Under Highway 99

July 23, 2024 Whistler MuseumWhistler Museum 0 Comments

At a council meeting in July 1984, council member Terry Rodgers stated, “I am very much afraid someone is going to get killed there.” He was referring to the unmarked crosswalk on Highway 99 between the Village site and the Whistler Golf Course. The unofficial crosswalk also connected the Village to the Valley Trail system and so was heavily used. With no marked crossing, pedestrians and cyclists crossing the highway were often unexpected by drivers. Not long before the meeting, Rodgers had noticed long skid marks near the crosswalk left by a large, dual wheel truck.

Rodgers’ concerns about the safety of the crossing, which had no signs for either motorists or pedestrians, was widely shared. A 1983 transportation study called for an underpass, the council sent a letter to the Department of Highways, and WLC Developments Ltd. (the owner of the golf course at the time) promised to discuss the issue at their board meeting. When asked about the safety of the area for the Whistler Question’s “Whistler’s Answers” feature, all three people said no, it was not safe.

The highway underpass under construction, as seen from the golf course parking lot. Whistler Question Collection, 1986

According to Ron Winbow, the district manager for the Department of Highways, crosswalk lines were not an option because Highway 99 was an “arterial road” and the policy on pedestrian crosswalks across highways was that they were reserved for school purposes and were patrolled. Like the earlier transportation study, Winbow suggested that the municipality build and underpass.

Despite worries over the safety of the unmarked crossing, it was another two years before an underpass was constructed. In February 1986, WLC Developments Ltd. called for tenders on the building of an underpass leading off of Whistler Way beneath Highway 99 and an 82-space parking lot near the putting green. The job was expected to cost over $500,000 and be completed in time for the opening of the golf course on May 1. The parking lot was necessary as the lot where golfers had been parking, which also housed the trailers of the Whistler Medical Centre, was slated to become a hotel, with construction beginning in April. (The Whistler Medical Centre was relocated to the basement of Municipal Hall.)

Someone jumps around the underpass. Whistler Question Collection, 1996

Construction of the underpass was underway by April. Because the highway had to be temporarily diverted and a road built to run parallel, the construction timeline was pushed back to ensure the diversion was not in place during the 1986 World Cup races in March. The project was delayed again when work stopped in early May after it was found that the soil under the underpass footing was too soft to support them. Though soil testing had been carried out, it took place in January when the ground by the road was frozen and so only the soil by the parking area had been tested. Though the parking lot had been completed, it could not be accessed until the underpass was complete.

Finally, in September 1986, the underpass connecting the Village to the Valley Trail and the Whistler Golf Course was completed, a few months behind schedule and about $40,000 over budget. With two lanes for vehicles and a raised sidewalk serving as the Valley Trail, the underpass continues to be a much safer approach to both amenities for pedestrians and cyclists (apart from a few incidents with vehicles that proved to be taller than their driver expected).

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The Spirit of WhistlerThe Spirit of Whistler

February 27, 2024 Whistler MuseumWhistler Museum 0 Comments

While reorganizing artefacts in the collection recently, we came across a mounted model of a SkyTrain car that had been presented to the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) on September 5, 1985. While it wouldn’t seem like Whistler had much to do with a transit system built in Vancouver, the plaque attached to the models tells us that it was presented by Grace McCarthy (then the “Minister Responsible for BC Transit”) to Terry Rodgers (then the mayor of Whistler) “on the occasion of the naming of car number 053 in the SkyTrain system the ‘Spirit of Whistler.'”

A train on a plaque, part of the Whistler Museum & Archives artefact collection.

Vancouver’s SkyTrain began as a legacy project of Expo 75, which had the theme “Transportation and Communication: World in Motion – World in Touch.” While there had been other transit projects proposed for Vancouver in the past, such as a light rail line proposed by the NDP in 1974, none had come to fruition. Construction of the Advanced Light Rapid Transit (ALRT) SkyTrain, a new technology from the Urban Transportation Development Corporation in Ontario, began on March 1, 1982, under the Social Credit government of Bill Bennett.

Not everyone was a fan of this project, with some politicians such as Vancouver Mayor Mike Harcourt preferring cheaper technologies that had already been tested. Some of the objections to the project came from the fact that the new system did not have a driver, though many rested on the expected cost.

Telemark Skiers, Luise and Pascal, and the Whistler Singers during a performance of Whistler – Let the Spirit Grow during Expo 86. Expo 86 Collection.

Despite this opposition, the first kilmetre of track was ready to open as a demonstration line in the summer of 1983. While riders wouldn’t get all that far from Waterfront Station, they could try out the train and get an idea of what it would be like to travel on when it was finished. The rest of the original Expo Line out to New Westminster Station was completed in 1985 and began running free weekend service on December 11, 1985. Full service (with fees) began on January 3, 1986, just a few months before Expo 86 opened.

According to the Whistler Question, the 114 SkyTrain cars were all going to be named after towns and places in British Columbia, though they questioned who of the 136 municipalities would not get to see their name on a car. We don’t know if each municipality received a model car on a plaque from a government minister, but it is possible that part of the reason Whistler did was because the provincial cabinet was having their annual retreat in Whistler at the time. This meant that ministers and Premier Bill Bennett were on hand as the RMOW celebrated ten years and for the official opening of the Whistler Conference Centre on September 8, 1985.

Sandy Boyd, the “downhill comedian” in Whistler – Let the Spirit Grow. Expo 86 Collection.

The name of the “Spirit of Whistler” is similar to the name of the production the Whistler community created for Expo 86: Whistler – Let the Spirit Grow. This song, dance and comedy show featured the Whistler Singers and a group of Whistler characters (including Sandy Boyd dressed as a downhill skier, complete with racing skis and helmet) and, after premiering to the community in the Rainbow Theatre, was performed at Expo in the BC Pavilion.

Today the Expo line has been extended past New Westminster and more lines have been added to the SkyTrain system. While it is unclear whether individual cars still have names, you might find yourself thinking of Whistler if you happen to find yourself on car 053.

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Whistler’s Answers: February 7, 1985Whistler’s Answers: February 7, 1985

February 8, 2024 Whistler MuseumWhistler Museum 0 Comments

Another year, another year of questions and answers!

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: At a January 1985 council meeting, Whistler council voted 3-1 in favour of a resolution stating “We are concerned about proliferation of nuclear weapons and we would rather that Canada is not part of it.” Though the resolution passed, it led to a debate about nuclear weapons and Whistler’s and Canada’s place in the larger, international debate. The issue came to council as a result of work on Whistler’s Emergency Plan.

Question: Do you think the nuclear proliferation issue is a municipal one?

Max Wing – Skier – Club Cabins

I think Whistler should be very concerned – this would probably be a high attack zone and we should be fully prepared. In fact we should have an emergency alert as soon as possible, and maybe another bomb shelter at Pika’s. There should be a massive bell system so everyone goes directly to the shelter – and I can go around to all the places immediately and drink up the leftover beers.

Delmar Page – Bartender – Function Junction

No, I suppose it’s good we have a shelter (underground parking) but I don’t think we should get involved otherwise. We’re out of our field – council shouldn’t get involved. I imagine there’s a lot of warheads but it’s not something I think about a lot.

Terry Rodgers – Mayor – White Gold

Inasmuch as dripping water will wear away the hardest stone, I think eventually junior levels of government can wear down the bigger one. But what we don’t want to do is have democratic governments induced to unilaterally disarm – if in Japan could drop a bomb on Los Angeles, would the US have bombed Hiroshima? There’s nothing wrong with expressing thought on this matter.

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Whistler’s Answers: October 7, 1982Whistler’s Answers: October 7, 1982

October 7, 2021 Whistler MuseumWhistler 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: In 1982, Frans Carpay planned to develop an equestrian centre on an 8.2 acre site in Whistler Cay. The development would have included stables and a 40-room lodge. Some owners of neighbouring properties and residents of the area opposed the development for various reasons, such as the scale of development, the potential noise, and the inclusion of accommodations.

Question: What do you think of the plans for the equestrian centre proposed for Whistler Cay?

Terry Rodgers – Alderman – White Gold Estates

As I said at the last all-candidates meeting, I’m in favour of the plans although I understand and appreciate the concerns of nearby residents.

Don Biggar – Consulting Engineer – Alpine Meadows

Well let’s not stop there. I’d like to see a PNE-style playland in Alpha Lake, a waterslide in Wayside Park, waterskiing on Alta Lake, an airport on Green Lake and a brothel on Nesters Road. What resident would be opposed to things which would be so good for the community?

June Paley – WMSC Hostess – Whistler Cay (MDC)

It doesn’t matter about the stables – it’s the hostel I think is questionable. I’d like to know more about the square footage mentioned in Bylaw 311. I think access roads are important as well as much in the interest of the horses’ safety as convenience of residents.

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