Climate of Condo Ownership in Whistler Brightens
Strata Owners and Management Company carve new deal at The Westin Resort & Spa
WHISTLER, BC, July 17, 2008 – A new 20-year management agreement has been implemented between the owners of The Westin Resort & Spa and OHR Whistler Management Ltd., a subsidiary of Vancouver-based O’Neill Hotels & Resorts Ltd. The new agreement has moved away from a revenue-based fee structure to a profit-sharing business plan which closely aligns the interests of the owners and management. The short term impact is expected to boost net income for the owners. The long term impact provides an opportunity for both the owners and OHR to achieve greater long term growth. The resulting increase in value has made owning a unit at this Four Diamond rated hotel that much more enviable.
“We recognized that changes needed to be made, but they had to be ones that truly made a difference for all stakeholders involved,” explained John O’Neill, president of O’Neill Hotels & Resorts Ltd. “We’ve spent many, many months candidly discussing what would work to make owning and/or buying a unit the right investment for all involved, so the changes that have been made to the terms of agreement are not just a collaboration of input between owners and ourselves, but also the franchise division of Westin Hotels.” O’Neill also stated that an investment partnership, of which they are a part, has also recently purchased a substantial number of hotel suites in the Westin, which will further align them with the other owners.
In addition to this new management agreement the interests of all stakeholders will be further enhanced with the planned multi-million hotel refurbishment program for the 8-year old resort hotel, which is to begin in spring 2009. Acknowledging the importance of this new management agreement and the need for the changes to be win-win for all, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, franchise operators of Westin Hotels & Resorts worldwide, will be contributing $1 million to the refurbishment program.
“We’re very pleased with the changes to the terms of the new agreement for current and prospective condo owners at the Westin,” said Colin Yip, president of the Strata Corporation at The Westin Resort & Spa. “For several years the owners have attempted to renegotiate several aspects of the hotel management agreement and it has finally come to fruition. The key to the new deal was changing the contract from a gross revenue focus to a shared net income focus which will result in more money in owners’ pockets. With the winter Olympic games just under two years away, the opportunities of a better bottom line can be more optimistically realized with these welcomed changes.”
Opened April 3, 2000 and twice-named the #1 ski resort hotel in North America by Condé Nast Traveler, The Westin Resort & Spa has just recently been awarded the Four Diamond-designate from AAA/CAA for the eighth consecutive year. As well, the Westin has been given the nod by AWARE with its Whistler Environment Business Award and the Hotel Association of Canada’s Three-Green Key eco-award, which recognizes the numerous green-friendly initiatives in place at the hotel.
Countdown to the Pemberton Festival!
The recent explosion of sunny weather has people waiting in anticipation of the summer’s biggest event. The Pemberton Music festival’s three-day outdoor concert showcasing such headliners in the music industry as Coldplay, Jay-Z and Tom Petty are gearing up to play from July 25 to 27.
The number of music fans expected to attend is 40,000, drawing people in from Canada, the US and Europe. Quite a number for a quiet farm community with a population of just over 2000. Event promoter Shane Bourbonnais of Live Nation commented “It’s very dramatic (with Mount Currie in the background), the scenery is beautiful, the community has been from day one very supportive, and played a really great role and that’s been a great thing”.
Modeled after multi-day music festivals in Europe, this concert could become an annual event. There are very few examples of other similar festivals in North America.
The organizers are focused on logistics and eco-friendly planning. The traffic feasibility study completed in September 2007 led to approved of the traffic management plan by the Ministry of Transportation. Other agencies to approve the festival include the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, RCMP, Squamish Lillooet Regional District and regional tourism agencies.
Carpooling is encouraged, the parking area is separate from ‘tent city’ and hydro-electric power is the main source of energy fueling the concert stages. Whistler is the official water sponsor, so there is bound to be a healthy supply.
Cost has not been a factor as early bird tickets are sold out. Three-day event passes are still available for $259.00. Daily parking passes go for $149.50 and camping fees are $90 for a three-day pass.
Peak to Peak Runs Cable
On June 16 the Peak 2 Peak cable reels arrived in Whistler. After an 11 week journey to Whistler - the final leg consisted of moving 270 metric tons of cable to the top of Whistler Mountain.
Navigating the final route from the Mons Road rail siding will be the biggest challenge of the entire project’ according to the transportation experts hired to handle this demanding job.
A specialized trailer with 48 wheels was used to handle the extreme weight and road access to the top was reinforced to insure that road beds didn’t collapse. Still, all terrain haul trucks were necessary to pull and push the “rope” to the top of Blackcomb.
It will take 12 to 14 weeks to get all 27 tons of cable in place over the 4.4 Km span between Blackcomb and Whistler. When you visit this summer make sure you look for this marvel of engineering.
Telus World Ski & Snowboard festival
Starts today!!
Every spring Whistler ramps it up for 10 days of celebration at the Telus World Ski & Snowboard festival from April 11-20, 2008.
Don’t miss out on the action with 50 live concerts, pro ski and snowboard big air & half pipe competitions, the legendary filmmaker and pro photographer showdowns, the world backcountry freeridge jam, mountain bike movie premier of ‘Seasons’ by the Collective, fashion shows, art exhibitions…. there is something for everyone.
After incredible winter Whistler Blackcomb is shaping up to have the best spring skiing and riding in the world.
For full schedule of events see http://whistler.mtv.ca/
A big Win for Whistler
In the lead up to the 2010 Olympics all eyes were on Whistler this weekend for the Alpine Skiing World Cup. Throughout the four-day event at Whistler’s Creekside the weather co-operated providing excellent quality & quantity of snow complemented by beautiful blue skies.
Crowds were around the 2000-3000 thousand with many coming out to support Whistler’s local racers Britt Janyk and Quebecer Erik Guay who were each fourth in their races.
Maria Riesch then went on in the slalom to win a World Cup super-combined on Sunday.
Swiss Nadia Styger won the Whistler women’s World Cup downhill race Friday just ahead of American Lindsey Vonn, who took the overall downhill season title with a second-place finish.
Bode Miller of the
The Vancouver Olympic Games Organizing Committee spent $27.6 million upgrading the Creekside facility for the Olympic and although the overall feedback on the course was positive, the spectators we somewhat frustrated by the 30min hike up the mountain to get to the finish line. Vice President in charge of venue management on the Olympic organizing committe, Cathy Priestner-Allinger acknowledged that complaints from spectators were heard and will be corrected by 2010, adding “plans are in the works for a 7,000-seat grandstand at the finish area and fans will be able to line the course to cheer on their countries athletes to gold.”
Overall there is no doubt that as the countdown begins excitement and interest in Whistler for the 2010 Olympics continues to boom!!
Fantastic Holiday Season
Skiers and riders enjoyed incredible snow conditions on Whistler Blackcomb during the Christmas/New Year holidays. With over 4ft of new snow falling in the last 7 days, people from all over the world were smiling enjoying the endless light dry powder on the mountain.
Hotels and retailers alike reported a busy holiday season. Jennifer Miller from Whistler’s Question writes “Final numbers won’t be available until next week, but Whistler Blackcomb (WB), accommodation providers, retailers, restaurateurs, and recreation companies are all reporting an increase in business over last year — with some citing a boost of up to 40 per cent.”
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