Whistler Athletes Village

Located six kilometres south of Whistler Village and within Whistler municipal boundaries, Cheakamus Crossing was home to more than 3,500 Olympic and Paralympic athletes and officials during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

What may have been a temporary athlete village, post-Games will be home to more than 800 residents, and the Whistler Athletes' Centre will play an important in role in Whistler's sport hosting capacity for generations to come.

Past
Decades ago, Whistler residents and businesses recognized that our community's long-term success as a vibrant resort community was dependent on retaining a stable resident workforce: individuals and families that lived, worked and played in Whistler. That's why, through Whistler2020, Whistler's comprehensive sustainability plan, the community recognized affordable housing as a key priority. Cheakamus Crossing supports this priority and will help maintain our goal of having more than 75 per cent of our workforce living right here in Whistler.

In 2003, Whistler residents were asked: "Where do you think the Village and new Whistler neighbourhood should be located?" Following extensive engagement and community dialogue, Whistlerites chose the current site. The location was selected because of its location with beautiful views, and because it was within municipal boundaries, close to existing trails and other facilities, and accessible by transit.

Today
Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood is adjacent to an established network of walking, hiking and mountain biking trails. Approximately 90 per cent of the homes in Cheakamus Crossing are restricted to and occupied by Whistler's workforce. 97 per cent of units have already been sold and future home-owners will move in the fall of 2010.

Cheakamus Crossing features 20 townhomes and approximately 30 fully accessible condos, which were designed for use during the Paralympics and post-Games. These units (about 20 per cent of the total) include universal design features for access and user-ability.

Future
This neighbourhood will be home to a vibrant mix of residents, hostel visitors, and athletes. A model for sustainable living, the village is one of only 20 Canadian developments designated as a pilot project for LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design - Neighbourhood Development) LEED-ND currently sets the highest standards in green neighbourhood design. For example, Whistler's Waste Water Treatment Plant provides space and water heating for the entire Cheakamus village; thereby, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90 to 95 per cent when compared to traditional methods.

The Whistler Housing Authority operates the rental apartments, as well as the resale of resident-restricted units.

Whistler Athletes' Centre
The Whistler Athletes' Centre with its lodge and townhome accommodation and high performance centre will become the epicentre of athlete training and development in Whistler. Along with the new Whistler Olympic Park and Whistler Sliding Centre venues, the facilities will enhance the capacity of sport in the region, the province and the country.

Organizations such as the Whistler Gymnastics Club and the Whistler Adaptive Sport Program will be permanently located in the centre post-Games. It is anticipated that some sport programming will be offered to the general public. After the handover from VANOC in 2010, the facilities will be operated by Whistler 2010 Sport Legacies, as will the Nordic and sliding venues.

Partnership
The development of Whistler's newest neighbourhood has been managed by the municipality's wholly owned subsidiary, Whistler 2020 Development Corporation, and made possible by the support of the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, and VANOC.