Condolences
On behalf of Council and the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Mayor Crompton would like to share condolences with the family and friends of Michael Jakobson.
COVID-19 Update
Council is grateful to the Province and Vancouver Coastal Health for providing last week’s vaccination clinic in our community to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Our community has been hit hard by COVID-19 this year. Now that everyone is receiving these vaccinations, the end is in sight, please remember that getting vaccinated doesn’t mean everyone can go back to pre-COVID life, it takes at least three weeks for our immune system to build protection against COVID-19 from the vaccine.
Please continue to protect yourself and others by continuing to follow all Public Health Orders and guidelines. This means avoiding indoor gatherings and continuing to wear masks in public and stay at least two metres from people not in your household. We need to make these vaccination efforts count. Please be responsible and follow the guidelines so that we can do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19.
VCH is planning for an additional clinic in the future to accommodate eligible Whistler adults who are currently isolating. More information will be available at www.vch.ca/whistler.
Yesterday, the Province announced that all current COVID guidelines and orders will remain in place for the next five weeks and stronger province-wide restrictions to curb non-essential travel will come into effect this weekend.
Mayor Crompton is asking everyone to continue to follow the current guidelines and orders and to avoid non-essential travel. Please stay close to home and not travel for leisure and recreation.
Mayor and Council know that this is challenging after over a year of COVID-19 restrictions but it is important for everyone to follow all of these restrictions and guidelines so that we can enjoy travel and getting together with others this summer.
Please do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19 so that Whistler residents can get back to doing what they love. The word solidarity is pertinent right now.
Mayor Crompton would also like to note how well and tirelessly everyone had pitched in that worked at the vaccination clinic, made this an effective effort. Also a big thank you to everyone who got vaccinated. Not only are you protecting yourself but also this community.
Yard Waste
Free residential yard waste disposal is now available at the Function Junction Waste Depot. The depot is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Commercial waste and trailers are not permitted at the Function Junction Depot. Residential loads larger than a pickup bed full must be dropped off at the Callaghan Transfer Station.
Yard waste drop off is not available at the Nesters Waste Depot due to COVID-19 safety protocols.
To learn more about accepted materials and the measures to protect depot users from COVID-19, visit whistler.ca/YardWaste.
Thursday is Earth Day (April 22)
Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement.
It goes without saying that a healthy natural environment in Whistler is critical to our ability to deliver world class tourism, recreation and a high quality of life.
Mayor Crompton hopes Thursday motivates you to get involved in climate action, our Big Moves, highway clean-ups, zero waste, ecosystem rehabilitation or biodiversity protection and advocacy.
The annual Pitch-In Day is back on May 1
Since 1989, the RMOW has organized an annual Pitch-In Day in the spring when the snow has cleared. Join volunteers, including community groups and local sports associations, and gather to clear litter from Emerald to Function Junction.
Picking up litter along roadways is an important way to protect natural habitats from toxins because garbage left in ditches is easily blown or washed into creeks, forests, and other sensitive areas.
Volunteers will focus on the subdivision roads since Highway 99’s ditches are cleared later in the spring by Miller Capilano Maintenance.
Those interested in participating can pick up free Pitch-In waste bags and gloves from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Public Works Yard.
Music Festivals
The World Ski and Snowboard Festival (WSSF) returns for its 25th year in a digital format that combines arts, music, and sport. Join virtually on Friday, April 23 and 30 from 6 – 8 p.m. More information is available at www.wssf.com.
Annual Community Life Survey
There is still time to register for the annual Community Life Survey. New this year, anyone interested in participating must pre-register in order to receive the online survey. Registration has been extended until Tuesday, April 27.
Visit www.whistler.ca/survey to sign-up.
2030 Olympics and Paralympics
Last Friday, Mayor Crompton joined the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade for a discussion around their concept of a BC 2030 Olympics and Paralympics.
Mayor and Council would love to hear your thoughts on what it would mean for us, good and bad, to be a part of the discussion on a 2030 event.
Provincial Throne Speech
Last week, the Province gave their annual throne speech, outlining their priorities for the coming year.
The Province announced that they will be providing an additional $2 billion in development financing through BC’s Housing Hub to finance the construction of thousands of new homes for middle-income families.
Marla Zucht, General Manager of the Whistler Housing Authority, was present for the announcement. This is great news for the WHA team and evidence of Whistler’s important contributions to affordable housing in British Columbia.
Zero Ceiling 2021
Zero Ceiling had their annual general meeting. It was a great event. Congratulations on their very good work.
One Year With CAO
Mayor and Council congratulated CAO G. Cullen, marking her 1-year anniversary working at RMOW.
Art Update
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) is temporarily closed and will reopen April 29. The SLCC will open with a new exhibit Boarder X which will feature local and international indigenous artists who focus on skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing to show their knowledge of and their connection to the land.
At the Audain Art Museum, coming up April 24 it’s the Illuminate Gala. Tonight is the cut off for tickets. A delicious meal from the Lazy Gourmet will be delivered to your home. Online silent auction as well as a Live Auction are available to attendees and those not attending. Fine Art is on the block. Go to Audainartmuseum.com to participate. You could take home an original Gordon Smith or Jack Shadbolt.
The Whistler Museum is open. The Land of Thundering Snow avalanche exhibit continues. If you have kids be sure to pick up the free Activity Book.
Reach Out! Arts Whistler and Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) have partnered in a campaign to raise awareness and funds for Mental Health.
Artist Aurora Moore has designed a pin to show your support. Individuals and businesses are asked to go to ArtsWhistler.com to order “Reach Out” pins. Councillor Jewett has already placed an order and added a donation. Reach out to WCSS Outreach are there with no cost.
Teeny Tiny Art Show is on now at the Maury Young Art Centre. Hundreds of tiny pieces of art are available for you to enjoy and available for purchase so that you can take them home and enjoy them forever.
Nominate an arts Champion - do you know a Whistlerite that brings the beauty of art and inspires others to share the love in our town?
Lifting the Community is an art project that brings retired Cat Skinner chairs to new life as works of art and will be auctioned later this year.
Get your Whistler Off Road Cycling Association membership get memberships if you can in any of the community arts institutions like The Point, Arts Whistler, SLCC, Whistler Museum. Give generously if you are able to our social service non profits such as WCSS and Howe Sound Women’s Centre.