Venue & Design

At the Whistler Conference Centre we are committed to reducing pollutants, emissions and waste. We are responsible to our clients, community and staff and are leaders in environmental sustainability.

The WCC knows the importance of our environment and followed the principles of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Building Rating system (LEED) certification during its renovation (2001-2003).

• A Construction Waste Management plan was used whereby 75% of all materials that came out of the building were diverted from the landfill and reusable and recyclable materials were directed to appropriate sites.
• Recycled materials included: 1700 tons of concrete, 4.5 tons of carpet, and 32 tons of reinforcing steel.
• Many of the materials that came into the building were made from recyclable materials including:
  • Carpets(recycled material)  –  using carpet tiles so they are easily replaced and switched around.
  • Recycled beams in Grand Foyer – were stripped and cleaned using a natural corn blasting process. No water was used.
  • All natural rock – was used from the surrounding area ie. Brahm stone from the Squamish Quarry, boulders from Whistler Mountain.
  • Vertical wood column covers – recycled six wood beams that were removed during the renovation (weighed 10 tons).

• Our new roof is made from 80% recycled materials, which will achieve higher levels of solar reflectivity due to the light colored materials used, reducing the “heat island effect”.
• Rumford fireplace – the 40-foot Rumford fireplace is shallow to reflect more heat, and it has a streamlined throat to eliminate turbulence and carry away the smoke with little loss of heated room air.
• A direct digital control system controls all air handling units, chiller plant, heating plant and exhaust fans, creating efficiencies
• The new CFC- and HCFC-free chiller modules for the chilled water and condenser loop stores energy. The system automatically adjusts to the outside temperatures.
• In 2006, a Sempa Hybrid Heating System replaced single water boiler (2 propane boilers and a 400 kw electric boiler). It is monitored online and switches between gas and cheaper ‘off peak’ electricity. The Sempa system will remove 311 Tons of GHG from Whistler, the equivalent of removing 49 Hondas off the road each year driving 1,175,000 kilometers per year.
• WCC has reduced Green House Gas by 66% and energy consumption has declined by 40%
• WCC’s comprehensive waste recycle program has been designed to reduce the amount of waste that goes into the landfill. We recycle the following:
  Cardboard
  Batteries
  Plastics
  Paper
  Organic Waste
  Aluminum
  Toner Cartridges
  Glass
  Drycleaning Hangers
• Recycle centres are located on the Grand Foyer and Valley Foyer levels for paper, glass, cans, and plastics
• All meeting rooms have garbage and recycle bins
• Our water conservation initiatives include low flow flush toilets, waterless urinals and motion sensor sinks for all main washrooms.

Products and Services

The WCC offers a sustainable conference experience to our clients every program, every time.

• Disposable Free Service

1. Meeting room rental includes water service using refillable jugs instead of water bottles
2. Juice is served from refillable dispensers
3. Milk and cream are served in bulk
4. Royal Dalton china and glassware is used instead of disposable plates and cups
5. Linen napkins are used for all meal service
6. Silverware is used instead of disposable cutlery and plastic items like stir sticks
7. Buffet décor and centerpieces are made from reusable items such as silk flowers.
8. Paper doilies are not usedMenus produced internally will be printed on recycled paper stock.

• WCC operates a scratch kitchen (no short-cuts or prepared items) which helps us avoid energy-consuming, pre-processed and heavily-packaged food products.
• We are in the business of promoting and using locally-grown, fresh products. This enables us to reduce our food miles and support our local industry and suppliers.
• Our purchasing priorities are 1. organic and local, 2. local and 3. organic.
• Happy Planet Menus, local and organic-focused menus are available for all meal periods.
• Only Fair Trade organic coffee is served
• Ocean Wise Certification has been awarded to WCC. All seafood choices are from sustainable sources as recommended by the Vancouver Aquarium.
• Vegetarian / Vegan options are available for all meals.
• British Columbia produces award-winning wines and we are proud to serve only BC wine products. It also helps to reduce our food miles.
• All organic waste from the kitchen is composted.
• WCC uses any kitchen over-production for wholesome meals that are provided to its employees.
• Our fryer/cooking oil is recycled and turned into biodiesel.
• Paper conservation initiatives include: catering menus are available on our website and hard copy documents are supplied only upon request. Event communications (contracts and invoices) are sent electronically.
• Ecolab products are used for cleaning and food safety.
• We offer a carbon calculator for our clients that want to measure and reduce their carbon footprint.
• The WCC is located right in the Village of Whistler; within walking distance of all major hotels, the bus/taxi service and chair lifts.

Whistler: A Green Destination

• The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) was the first community in the world to vote The Natural Step system conditions into their constitution and the first community project for The Natural Step Canada.
• The RMOW was one of the initial 63 other local governments from across B.C. in signing the ‘Climate Action Charter’ with the Province and the Union of BC Municipalities, committed to being carbon neutral by 2012. (September, 2007)
• Whistler has an extensive recycling program the entire community is committed to. The Re-Use-It Centre is another step towards sustainability, re-using goods within our own community. Proceeds then fund 23 of our local social programs
• Whistler Transit has switched its transit fleet to B5 biodiesel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Want to offset the climate impact of travelling to and from Whistler? Purchase carbon offsets through Whistler’s EcoPath. Learn more about Whistler’s environmental commitment.