Dear Editor,

What an incredible two weeks it has been. On March 12, we welcome the exceptional athletes of the Paralympics. Let’s keep the same spirit alive in Whistler. In the Paralympics, we host the majority of the events.

It seems to me that John Furlong deserves an Order of Canada for the job he has done in bringing this nation together. And we must remember to recognize the original Whistler Council members (and it was not all of them) who had the foresight and courage to support the bid for the 2010 Olympics. They enabled us to show the potential this community has to offer to the world.

It is time to exhibit that same courage, vision and leadership to recreate our community by diversifying our offerings to the world. I stand ready to develop a world-class learning centre, anchored by a university, with the potential to attract leaders and learners from all of the nations that have just visited us. The campus will be located on only 25 acres of a 78-acre site that has been through three thorough and positive environmental studies and that, with council approval, is already being developed. The wetland nearby will be preserved forever.

Whistler’s potential lies not in living in the past but in opening itself to the world. We saw how incredibly vibrant our community became hosting the world; now let’s build on this amazing experience by creating another year-round attraction for both our own citizens and those of the world.

I encourage you to go to www.whistleru.com and offer your comments and input. Let’s build on the base created this month and next and continue to create a vibrant and exciting community.

Meantime, let’s all support the Paralympics and GO CANADA GO!
Doug Player
Whistler