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The Weekender Effect: Hyperdevelopment
in Mountain Towns
By Robert William Sandford, 2008
Review by Meghan J. Ward
How does a mountain town maintain its values, integrity,
and sense of community while expanding to accommodate the
interests of new residents? In The Weekender Effect: Hyperdevelopment
in Mountain Towns, by Robert William Sandford, the author
places his own town under the microscope in an impassioned
effort to answer this important question.
How does a mountain town maintain its values, integrity,
and sense of community while expanding to accommodate the
interests of new residents? In The Weekender Effect: Hyperdevelopment
in Mountain Towns, by Robert William Sandford, the author
places his own town under the microscope in an impassioned
effort to answer this important question.
With no shortage of eloquence and articulation, Sandford
paints a startling portrait of his mountain town. Explaining
how the culture and identity of the local people have historically
been shaped by the unique landscape, Sandford argues that
this process has been interrupted and influenced by outside
interests.
Feeling his community ripped from his loving arms by the
“disruptive urban excitements and economic interest” of “weekenders,”
the author makes a fervent plea to save the town. The time
to act is now, encourages Sandford, who has not only seen
his town taken away, but also confesses that the locals gave
it away without really knowing which values they were compromising.
Though Sandford’s personal issues with his mountain town
are clearly stated as his own, his distinctions between the
warring factions within the town are quite broad and oversimplified.
The villains (weekenders) and victims (long-term locals) are
placed firmly on the front lines with very little room for
the people who cannot be placed in either camp. Still, this
book is an important documentation of the current relationship
between mountain towns and development, as well as a helpful
summary of the ongoing debate.
Ultimately, Sandford asks his readers “What will be?” Foreseeing
the end of the town as he knows it, the author’s final cry
is this: no matter who you are in the mountain town, whether
insider or outsider, accept the challenge to articulate your
appreciation of the mountains. “We must reach into our hearts
for the deepest expression of our passion for place,” he implores.
But, as The Weekender Effect reminds us, the mountains will
only bring peace to the people if the people can make peace
amongst themselves.
Robert William Sandford is a Canmore-based author, ecological
historian, educator, and environmental activist. An honorary
member of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and
author of more than twenty books, Sandford has also made significant
efforts to raise awareness of freshwater issues in Canada.
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