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 1984. 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 the August 30, 1984 edition of the Whistler Question, a letter to the editor called for more wheelchair ramps to be installed in the Whistler Village, which had very few at the time. This letter was supported by another letter in the September 13, 1984 edition in which the letter writer described how she saw two wheelchair users from her office window who became increasingly frustrated while trying a ramp to access Village Square. In 1985, the year after this question was posed to Question readers, Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion Tour raised awareness of accessibility throughout Canada and internationally.
Question: Do you think more handicapped access is needed in the Village?
Yes, I definitely do. I feel it’s lacking – you don’t see any ramps. It seems as if the stores and restaurants want to cater to people who are not handicapped. I’m sure there are always ways of improving it without tremendous expense. It’s a matter of wanting to do it.
Hatto Horn – Chef – Alta Vista
It would make a difference to have a few ramps. They should do it, it wouldn’t cost that much.
Barbara Voncina – Housekeeper – Tapley’s Farm
It’s always a problem getting into a major building (with a stroller). I would say just one ramp in a central location would help.
The Roundhouse that sits atop Whistler Mountain today bears little resemblance to the original Roundhouse built during the summer of 1966. Based on the design of a similar building in the United States, the “round” structure is easily recognized in photographs from past decades. However, almost as soon as it was built, the lift company began changing and adding on to the Roundhouse.
The Roundhouse on Whistler Mountain, before the external additions. George Benjamin Collection.
Following its first season of operations, the lift company began construction of a warming hut to provide skiers with respite from the cold and snow. The Roundhouse featured a huge fireplace in the middle where skiers could warm their feet, though from stories we’ve heard at the Whistler Museum, only the first ring or two of people around the fire really got all that warm. The building was not designed to include food service or running water, though there were outhouses built on the hill below the Roundhouse.
The next summer, Hugh Smythe remembered being present when a dowser was used to locate water in order to install running water at the site. According to Smythe, the water was successfully found using a willow stick as a dowsing rod and a pump was sunk the next spring. The Roundhouse underwent quite a few changes over the next few years as the lift company removed the fireplace, added a kitchen, installed indoor toilets (though they kept the outhouses as well), dug out and enclosed a lower level, and even wired the building for electricity, installing a diesel generator in the basement (which was stolen one winter).
The Roundhouse under construction in September 1979. Whistler Question Collection, 1979.
The summer months were an opportunity to upgrade facilities on the mountain for the next ski season. During the summer of 1979, with the opening of Blackcomb Mountain for the 1980/81 season looming, there was a lot of work done, especially around the Roundhouse. Quadra Construction was employed to build a new building beside the Roundhouse that was to house extra washroom facilities, a new ski school office, a ski repair shop, and a sewer plant, topped off with a sun deck on the roof. Over the years, this building also housed a snack bar and Jim McConkey’s Alpine Ski Shop and became known as the Squarehouse. Quadra Construction also leveled the road that led up to the Roundhouse, raising the building eight feet without actually moving the building.
The view from the Roundhouse showing the new washroom building under construction in September 1979. Whistler Question Collection, 1979.
Other work done by the lift company that summer included seeding some runs and widening others, filling in gullies, cutting a new entrance to Green Acres, installing new engines on some of the chairlifts, and replace the original chairs of the Red Chair (the chairs were sold for $10 and marketing director John Creelman reported that they would “make a great conversation piece.”) At the gondola base in today’s Creekside, the bottom of the Olive Chair was remodeled, the Whistler Skiers’ Chapel was moved next to the Whistler Mountain Ski Club cabin, and L’Après and the cafeteria were renovated. According to lift company manager Peter Alder, all of these improvements and maintenance work came to over $1.5 million (adjusted for inflation, that would be about $5.9 million today).
The Roundhouse and the “Squarehouse” from the air during the 1980/81 season. Whistler Question Collection, 1980.
The new building at the Roundhouse was completed shortly after the 1979/80 ski season began. More changes were made to the Roundhouse area over the years, especially when the Whistler Express Gondola opened in 1988. In 1998, the Roundhouse Lodge was completely rebuilt, retaining the name of the structure but changing the shape.
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 1984. 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 first part of the Whistler Village was more or less completed by the summer of 1984 and seemed more like a cohesive town centre and less like a series of construction sites. Each building was separately designed and constructed, though great care was taken to ensure they did not clash.
Question: What do you think is the best-designed building in the Village?
Ralph Vandenberg – Retailer – Edmonton
The whole plaza is just a tremendous idea. There isn’t any building in particular I like; they’re all nice.
Robert Moore – Truck Driver – Vancouver
I like them all. Everything’s different, but they all work together. You’ve got the modern and you’ve got the old-looking style together. I particularly like (the Crystal Lodge).
Ed Buckman – Systems Analyst – Toronto
The Clocktower. But the entire village is lovely; it captures the feeling perfectly. The whole layout is like a European village.
On September 9, 1923, Neal Carter and Charles Townsend set out on a two-week journey through Wedge Mountain and Avalanche Pass. During their trip, the two avid mountaineers kept detailed records, took incredible photographs, and identified several features with names we still use today. Come experience the stories behind their adventures!
Mapping the Mountains: The 1923 Carter/Townsend Mountaineering Expedition will run from September 14 through November 14. Join us for an opening reception Thursday, September 14 from 6 – 9 pm.
