Yeterday I wrote about Whistler’s efforts to make this the most sustainable Olympics in history. A big part of this story is Whistler’s Athlete’s Village. Initially, the Athletes Village was planned as a temporary village – instead, the development of the permanent village is providing a means to meet housing needs in a way that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. 

During the Games, Whistler's Olympic and Paralympic Athletes Village will serve Olympians and Paralympians and their support teams. Post Games, the area will be turned into a new Whistler neighbourhood – Cheakamus Crossing – providing approximately 250 resident- restricted residences, with a mixture of housing types, indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, convenience retail and other services.

This legacy project will serve to house permanent Whistler residents, providing an affordable opportunity to live, work and play in the community – and help maintain Whistler’s goal to house at least 75% of its workforce in Whistler  – a feat not even attempted by most resort communities. Most of the townhomes and condominiums will be sold to Whistler residents on the Whistler Housing Authority wait list and will be price-restricted.

As one of only 20 Canadian developments designated as a pilot project for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Neighbourhood Development (LEED-ND), this new neighbourhood will feature high standards in green neighbourhood design practices and be a model of sustainable living. Read more on the Whistler 2010 website, or visit www.cheakamuscrossing.ca.