Changes of rental accommodations in Whistler could put British Columbia resort’s reputation for quality service at risk

Whistler officials are struggling to work out how to allow homeowners to rent rooms and accommodations in 2010 without shoving the resort’s 10,000 employees out in the cold.

“Staff is preparing a report that will go forward to council and for public consultation on how to implement a short-term rental program for properties that are currently zoned residential,” said Diana Waltmann, spokeswoman for the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

“For us the challenge is that we don’t want to adversely impact our employees. We have workers renting suites in these residential-zoned properties.” (more…)

Whistler accommodations for the 2010 Olympics seemingly becoming tapped with the flood of Olympic organizers, reports, and media booking the Whistler hotels and other accommodations in Whistler, BC, Canada, Vancouver now must come up with est. $1 billion worth of housing and support in time for 2010 Olympics.

As many Vancouverites are becoming more and more concerned with the Olympic spending on facilities and the games, and lack of support for our low income residents, inner-city residents and the homeless, Vancouver will need a tactical plan to help their own peolpe.
According to the 24 recommendations made by the Vancouver Olympics’ housing round table, obtained by The Vancouver Sun and due to be released next week, the city requires in its three inner city neighbourhoods of the Downtown Eastside, downtown south and Mount Pleasant:

• 3,000 housing units, 80 per cent of them to be new construction, for low-income residents.
• 250 housing units for temporary Games workers, to be converted to social housing afterwards.
• 300 shelter beds for young people likely to flock to the city during Games.

What will be interesting to see is if any of these homes will be built in Whistler and Squamish, and what percentage of these homes, or accommodations for the Olympics will be turned into homes once the Olympics have come and gone.

The city of Whistler already appears to be struggling to keep up with the demand for Whistler lodging for the Olympics (2010 Whistler accommodations), and with the impact of visitors and tourists from around the globe, where will they stay? My call is a large majority will be stuck with renting accommodations in Squamish, and in the city of Vancouver. Only those lucky ones who can get a owner-direct accommodation in Whistler will get the opportunity of a lifetime to experience the full experience of the 2010 Olympics.

Whistler, BC, Canada is one of those luxury ski and vacation resorts where the demand is high, but inventory is low. The world famous city, nested away in the rockie mountains of British Columbia, Canada, and home to the Whistler 2010 Winter Olympics, witness another sales growth after last year in today’s booming, or shall we say maturing, real estate market.

Whistler sales activity year to date indicates Whistler chalet sales have exceeded last year (2006) at this time reported by Whistler Luxury Properties, with 21 sold chalets with a median price of $1,330,000. This year its reported 24 chalets were sold with a median price of $1,629,625.
Whistler condo sales are also strong with a median price of $540,000 and this year we have a median price of $901,088 – a sales growth of 41%.
Vacant land is also becoming scarce and so a couple of new neighbourhoods with single family lots at Lakecrest/Nita Lake/Stonebridge have bumped up in median price of  $1,107,500 in 2006 with an average price of $1,922,000.

Whistler Resort will be hosting the 2010 Olympic Games. It is considered to be one of the top mountain resorts worldwide. Those seeking to research the Whistler real estate market can find various realtors to help – Michael Nauss, Lance Lundy, Whistler Real Estate Company Ltd, etc.

Will the 2010 Olympics be facing an accommodation shortage with the hundreds of international reporters, media, organizers and others attempt to book their place to stay? With the world wide attention focussed on Whistler 2010, accommodations may be a huge shortage and schools and trailers may be the place to lay your head if Whistler faces this bed shortage crisis.

While the Whistler hotel accommodations are many, you can expect the owners of Whistler accommodations – the condo’s, cottages and homes, will be up for rent, and with a high price. The opportunities for owner direct accommodations for rent in Whistler should be tremendous for these home owners.

John Furlong, Vancouver 2010 CEO said yesterday. “We’re looking at temporary accommodation and collaborating with community on it to see what’s possible.” He said both trailers and schools are being considered. (more…)