There’s no more mocking Whistler’s most expensive hole.
After months of speculations and cancellations, Whistler residents were told this week that the 2010 Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Celebration Plaza (WCP), is back on the books and will become a reality after all.
Back in January, Vanoc scrapped the Whistler venue due to budgetary constraints. The move was supposed to save the organization about $5 million, in the global economic downturn. This caused a big uproar with the surrounding businesses because Olympic visitors would be bussed to the venues and then back to Vancouver, without ever stepping foot into the Village core.
This week, Vanoc reversed its previous decision after hearing from athletes, business owners and broadcasters. The cleared pit (once the site of Whistler’s last remaining piece of urban forest), will be transformed into the site for nightly medals ceremonies for the nordic, alpine and sliding events. The announcement came as welcome news to Whistler business and hotel owners, who will benefit from the influx of business.
The new venue will cost approx. $12.8 million, down from the previous cost of $13.6 million. Instead of its previous commitment of $4.4 million funding through its hotel tax reserves, Whistler will now contribute $1 million towards the in-town medal celebrations. Vanoc was on the hook for $4.2 million in 2008, but will now pay $6.8 million towards the venue. Heritage Canada will contribute $5 million.
On paper, it appears that the RMOW is saving $3.4 million, while Vanoc is paying $2.6 million more. Where is Vanoc getting the additional funds, especially after announcing that it expects no profit in 2010 Games with the economic slump?
According to Jeff Lee of the Vancouver Sun, “The change saves Vanoc about $2 million in accommodation costs since it will now bus in daily 400 of the 500 people needed at the plaza.”
So, while greedy landlords continue to evict their tenants, Vanoc will be bussing the resort’s work force daily from Vancouver. Let’s hope there are no landslides or highway closures during the Games.
It’s not the same budget or the same venue. The new site includes a smaller broadcast compound, no Olympic lounges and a simpler seating venue.
The RMOW has no shortage of ideas when it comes to spending the Olympic coffers, even though it announced a 19 per cent tax increase over three years this week.
All 350 municipal staff will receive new Miro blue, Arc’teryx “waterproof shells” to wear during the 2010 Games. You might as well look good if the party is coming to town! While the RMOW wouldn’t disclose the actual costs, the Arc’teryx website lists these jackets at $650 each. A conservative estimate puts the costs of the jackets at $227,500!! Don’t forget the costs to embroider the Vanoc and RMOW logos. Strange that the Adidas-owned Arc’teryx got the contract, when it’s not even an Olympic sponsor.
While I can see the merit of the front-end people wearing the jackets, I don’t understand why the cleaning staff or wastewater treatment plant operators need one? What a joke.
The RMOW also purchased 185 Olympic tickets to be given out to well-deserving municipal staff. Amongst the tickets are the coveted 20 seats for the men’s gold medal hockey game.
While it appears that taxpayers are funding the party for the RMOW staff, councillors maintain that the money is not coming from taxpayers’ pocket but from Whistler’s hotel tax. I’m glad the rest of us are around to subsidize the “second biggest party in the world.”
I hope that the new Celebration Plaza will bring increased business to town and that fans will stick around town, instead of getting on a bus back to Vancouver.
Once the crowds disperse after March 2010, I hope that reality and sanity return to our town.
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