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2010 Winter Olympics Feel a Chill in One Host Town

Construction hassles, dim future depress Whistler residents

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 31, 2009 3:44 PM CDT

(Newser) – Whistler Village, Canada, celebrated when it learned it would host many events as part of the 2010 Winter Olympics in nearby Vancouver. But the honeymoon is pretty much over, the Seattle Times reports. Clogged roads, endless construction, and soon-to-be-closed schools have residents ruing the decision. And their ire doesn’t even address a terrifying possibility: all the inconvenience may not improve the lot of the struggling resort town.

“Business as usual has become business as unusual,” says Whistler’s mayor, who nevertheless remains an Olympic booster. Others aren’t so certain. “It's not like there's a big step up and you get a whole bunch more people coming in” after the Olympics, an expert says. “There's a pretty quick decay within several years.” Still, the mayor is confident. “This is going to be the defining moment in Whistler's history,” he says, quickly adding, “defining in the best sense of the word.”

Zina Kocher of Canada takes aim at the rifle range during a training session at the IBU Women's Biathlon World Cup at the Whistler Olympic Park in Whistler, British Columbia.
Zina Kocher of Canada takes aim at the rifle range during a training session at the IBU Women's Biathlon World Cup at the Whistler Olympic Park in Whistler, British Columbia.   (AP Photo)
Nadia Styger, of Switzerland, celebrates her first place win at the FIS Women's World Cup Downhill ski race in Whistler, B.C.
Nadia Styger, of Switzerland, celebrates her first place win at the FIS Women's World Cup Downhill ski race in Whistler, B.C.   (AP Photo)
Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, talks with The Canadian Press in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, talks with The Canadian Press in Vancouver, British Columbia.   (AP Photo)
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There was a lot of early growth. It's leveled off. The question is, how do we take the resort to the next level? This is that opportunity to jump forward. This puts us on the world stage and gives that opportunity. - Dave Brownlie, Whistler Blackcomb CEO

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Spudsy
Sep 2, 2009 3:17 AM CDT
And Chicago with its government by criminals wants the 2016 games. Let the taxes begin!
Nwambe
Sep 1, 2009 12:17 PM CDT
Albertans, on the other hand... :P
DavoMax
Sep 1, 2009 1:24 AM CDT
The Olympics is an over-hyped, overrated and overpriced spectacle. I wish it could simply be about sports rather than television ads, souvenirs and inflated egos. Gone are those days.

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