Committee of the Whole receives update on the Balance Model Initiative
Initiative to model future implications of Whistler’s population growth to inform strategies and actions for achieving Official Community Plan goals
The Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) Economic Development department shared an update on the progress of Whistler’s Balance Model Initiative with Council at the December 21, 2021 Committee of the Whole Meeting.
The Balance Model is being developed to help community decision makers understand changing trends in Whistler’s population and test scenarios to assess the potential impacts to services and amenities over the next 20 years.
Recognizing that unconstrained growth is not desirable for the community, the Balance Model looks at strategies and actions for sustainable growth while maintaining a balance between community, economic and environmental goals.
The strategies and actions will enable individuals, businesses and organizations to identify ways they can help the community achieve its shared goals.
The goal of the Balance Model Initiative is to support the RMOW’s Official Community Plan’s (OCP) key objective: Strive to achieve and maintain a comfortable, balanced resort and community capacity, supporting a progressive sustainable tourism-based economy while protecting the natural environment and reinforcing Whistler’s mountain community character.
The project includes three phases:
- Phase One: Current State Assessment (complete);
- Phase Two: Future Population Scenario Testing (underway); and
- Phase Three: Strategies and Actions (Spring 2022).
Community members are invited to view the Balance Model Initiative update and Phase One findings and provide their feedback by filing out a short questionnaire. Responses will help confirm the findings from Phase One, while providing input on future population scenarios contemplated in Phase Two.
During Phase Three of the project, the public will be invited to get in involved in the development of the strategies and actions to ensure a balance between Whistler’s community, economic, and environmental goals as outlined in the OCP. Details for engagement opportunities will be announced at whistler.ca/BalanceModel.
“Council is extremely eager to work through the future population scenarios and the development of strategies and actions with the community. The ability to test the impacts of various scenarios lets us take informed proactive action now. Ultimately, the Balance Model gives us tools to navigate towards the future we desire.” said Mayor Jack Crompton. “For an introduction to the project and Phase One findings, I strongly encourage the community to view the Balance Model Initiative presentation from the December 21 Committee of the Whole meeting, then complete the short questionnaire to provide feedback on the Current State Assessment.”
The Balance Model Initiative is being guided by input from the Strategic Planning Committee, a standing Committee of Council that was initiated in 2019 to act in an advisory capacity to support Council in its decision-making related to community and land use planning and growth management.
View the Balance Model Initiative Update and Current State Assessment findings (Committee of the Whole, December 21, 2021)
For more information on the Balance Model Initiative, visit whistler.ca/BalanceModel.
