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The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has purchased a 200-acre parcel of land adjacent to the north end of Green Lake, which contains the historical Parkhurst town and Soo Valley Logging Company sites. The lands include river and lake frontage and represent a prominent parcel of undeveloped open space at the north end of the community.

“A priority of Council has been to look for opportunities to acquire park land and green space,” said Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden. “This site perfectly fits our intentions to have control over key areas of land in our community in order to retain green space, develop parks and recreation opportunities and in this case maintain a site of historical significance.”

Plans for the area will be developed over time to include green space, a waterfront park, and a community heritage site.

An event hosted by the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre celebrated the signing of Whistler Blackcomb's Master Development Agreements and an MOU between First Nations, Provincial and Whistler partners. 

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of British Columbia, Lil’wat Nation, Squamish Nation and Whistler Blackcomb, which sets out a process for further work to explore interests related to land use and planning in Whistler as identified in the MOU. The MOU was part of the April 25, 2017 Council package.

The MOU—along with the February 2017 signing of the updated the Whistler Blackcomb Master Development Agreement and Master Plans by the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations, the Government of British Columbia and Whistler Blackcomb—sets the stage for continued engagement amongst the partners.

The MOU recognizes the need to work toward resolution of the approval of Whistler’s updated Official Community Plan. The conclusion of the Whistler Blackcomb agreements and signing of the MOU are each steps toward our continued collective success.

“This demonstrates the commitment and partnership of all parties to work toward shared interests and community priorities. As we move forward exploring these shared interests, the RMOW is committed to ongoing community engagement, consideration and consultation,” said Whistler Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden.

The MOU outlines a number of key interests of the parties for exploration include the transfer of a Kadenwood Lands parcel for Emerald Lands currently held by the First Nations, other development considerations, a long-term tax exemption for the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, and steps to finalize Whistler’s Official Community Plan.

The RMOW has collaborated with the Lil’wat and Squamish Nations over the years and wishes to build on that relationship. One of the more significant recent partnerships was the success of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games which celebrated First Nations’ culture and Whistler’s mountain culture through a variety of forums and venues. The Legacy Agreement was also an important outcome of the 2010 Games and provided First Nations with an increased presence and opportunities in Whistler. The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre has become a central point of cultural celebration in Whistler, and an important contributor to the tourism economy. The raising of two Welcoming Figures in the Village is a further symbol of our shared desire to live and succeed together. The RMOW also has a strong partnership with the Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation in the management of the Cheakamus Community Forest.

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is marking Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on May 6 and Emergency Preparedness Week from May 7 to 13, and has several activities planned to help community members take action to get prepared for emergencies and reduce the community’s wildfire risk.

• Emergency Preparedness and FireSmart booth,  Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside Nesters Market
• FREE Community Chipping Service, Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Whistler neighbourhoods
• Family Time Together, emergency preparedness themed craft, Saturday, May 13, 3:30 to 4:40 pm., Whistler Public Library
• Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, Saturday, May 6
• Emergency Preparedness Week, May 7 to 13

Progress on the Gateway Loop Improvement Project is on schedule. Recent work includes relocating the pedestrian crosswalks on Gateway Drive and work on the Breezeway Stairs. The stairs will not be open to the public until Friday, June 12.

Bus and shuttle pick up, drop off and transfers as well as taxi staging are currently located in Lot 3 until June 30. Portable toilets and a Visitor Information Kiosk are also available. 

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) invites Whistler residents and business owners to an Ironman Canada community information session on May 9 from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Gallery at Maury Young Arts Centre, formerly Millennium Place. Staff will be on hand to share information and receive feedback about the event.

• Tuesday, May 9, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Gallery at Maury Young Arts Centre (4335 Blackcomb Way)
• Residents and business owners

Subaru IRONMAN Canada takes place on July 30, 2017. The race consists of a 2.4-mile swim in Alta Lake, a 112-mile bicycle ride on the Sea-to-Sky Highway to the Callaghan Valley and Pemberton, and a full marathon in Whistler.

Starting this summer, businesses and statas will be required to separate organic waste from other types of waste. 

Business and strata property managers can discuss the upcoming changes to the solid waste bylaw with municipal staff at a meeting on Wednesday, May 10 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Delta Suites Hotel Whiski Jack Conference Room. Light refreshments will be provided.

The solid waste bylaw changes will mean: 

• Organic waste will be banned from garbage
• All commercial and strata properties will be required to have three streams of waste collection: recycling material, organic waste, and garbage to landfill
• Businesses and stratas will be required to avoid contamination between the three different types of waste

When: Wednesday, May 10, 3 to 5 p.m.
Where: Delta Suites Hotel Whiski Jack Conference Room
RSVP: whistler.ca/wastereduction

Whistler’s Grade 5 students have been invited to enter the Student Council Contest for the chance to win a role as Mayor, Councillor or municipal staff member in the Student Council meeting celebrating Local Government Awareness Week.

Winning students will take part in a Student Council meeting on Thursday, May 25 at 9 a.m. at Maury Young Arts Centre. The public  is invited to watch.

Council adopted the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s 2017–2021 Five-Year Financial Plan at their Council meeting on April 25.

The Five-Year Financial Plan includes increases of 1.9 per cent to property taxes and one per cent to sewer parcel taxes and user fees. There are no increases to water parcel taxes or user fees. This means on average a residential property with an assessed value of $600,000 in 2017 will experience an increase of approximately $23 dollars in municipal property taxes and $4 dollars in utilities.

The 2017 budget guidelines will allow the RMOW to continue to deliver a high level of service to residents and visitors, while balancing current community needs with anticipated future needs. The Five-Year Financial Plan includes more than 165 projects with a total possible cost of $36 million, not including land purchase and resident housing development.

To learn more about the budget visit www.whistler.ca/budget.

Next steps: Property tax notices will be mailed out at the end of May and property taxes are due July 4, 2017.

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is continuing its wildfire management program and completing a final clean-up of the site of last year’s 4.4-hectare fuel thinning project above the Brio subdivision. The work will begin during the week of May 15 and will continue into June.

Vehicles will access the site from a right of way that was upgraded last year on Panorama Ridge. Debris will be removed from the site or chipped in place; there will be no burning on site.