Editor,
Like so many others, I am smitten by the Olympic spirit and am looking forward to the next month of athletics and related events. I believe credit should be given to VANOC and the myriad of partners in preparing for the delivery of the 2010 Games.
However like Paul Demers in his op-ed piece ("Host makes up for VANOC," The Chief, Jan. 29), I am truly dismayed at a seeming inability to efficiently transport ticketholders to Nordic events in Callaghan Valley who are guests of Squamish residents (who do not hold tickets to Nordic events).
My astonishment could be addressed to some degree if I could understand this shortcoming; to date the rationale seems to be along the lines of "this arrangement only adds 30 minutes to the travel time," so (I guess) just put on your Quatchi happy face and enjoy the experience.
This is hardly the case. While I would agree travelling in a car from the Callaghan turnoff, into the heart of Whistler and back to the turnoff would take 20 to 30 minutes, such is not the case with the bus arrangements.
The plan as I understand it will have these travellers getting dropped at the gondola bus hub, then having to walk the half kilometre or so to the Olympic Park transit location and then wait for the bus. I am advising my guests to allow for two, to two and a half hours total travel time from Squamish to the Callaghan security check, and hope I am not being overly optimistic.
I acknowledge the significant effort that has been undertaken to deliver the Games and the benefits that will accrue, but this arrangement (and lack of explanation) only serves to unnecessarily highlight the already negative perspective about Squamish's place in the Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Olympics.
Bert Ionson
Garibaldi Highlands
