With only a year to go before the resort municipality is thrust onto the world stage, residents of Whistler seem excited and optimistic about the coming 2010 Games.
“I’m totally excited,” said Sylvia Petroci, who was checking out the Olympic booths in Whistler Village with her 20-month-old daughter Stella Thursday morning.
“I expect there will be a whole bunch of smiling faces up here (during the Games) having a good time. That’s the way is should be. It’s going to be chaotic. It’s going to be fun.”
Guy Auger, of Sno-Limo, a local company that takes people who can’t ski up on the mountain in a special ski-chair, said he expects the Games will be a terrific event for the community and one that will expand the international appeal of the ski resort.
“Just the fact that it’s going to bring people from all over the world will be terrific for our business.”
Karin Harberg, a seasonal worker from Stockholm, said she had heard some grumblings, but felt that generally people were excited.
“It’s going to be fun to watch from Sweden,” said Harberg, who will be back home during the Games. “I saw the bobsled last week. It’ll be fun to say, ‘Look mom and dad, I was there. I’ve seen that track.’”
