LATE & UNIQUE NIGHTTIME ALTERNATIVES | WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED |LUNA DEVELOPMENTS BY YEAR | COMMUNITY FEEDBACK | LUNA REPORT

LATE & UNIQUE NIGHTTIME ALTERNATIVES (LUNA) is an innovative crime prevention strategy that contributes to social sustainability and reduced crime by engaging young adults in meaningful learning opportunities, providing them with healthy nightlife options, and shaping the future of our visitor experience and community life.

LUNA helps to address Whistler’s top risk factors which contribute to the development of problem behaviours: community norms favourable towards alcohol, binge drinking and poverty. LUNA’s events are affordable, promote positive values, and are produced and run by young adults in partnership with local organizations and businesses which believe in these values.

Seasonal workers and locals are given the opportunity to become engaged citizens through our Community Event Coordination training program, which mentors young adults ages 18-35 in effective leadership, decision-making, communication and event management. Training entails in-class sessions with industry professionals and hands-on experience with all aspects of LUNA events.

We produce alcohol-free, pro-social, late-night events as an alternative to Whistler’s alcohol-focused nightlife and in so doing, contribute to a safer and healthier resort community. Local groups may collaborate with LUNA to develop creative solutions to local issues through events.

• Established an effective crime prevention program that contributes to a 20% reduction in alcohol-related calls to the RCMP
  
  
• Engaged 12,700 young adults in alcohol-free nightlife
  
  
• Provided mentorship, events and leadership training, and networking opportunities to 47 young adults age 18-35
  
  
• Produced over 200 events, including arts & culture, health & wellness, sports, music and film
  
  
• LUNA trainees and friends of LUNA have contributed about 6,000 volunteer hours toward our effort

LUNA DEVELOPMENTS BY YEAR

2002
A task force was created to address complaints from visitors about late-night noise & violence in the Village, RCMP Staff Sergeant and RMOW Bylaw Supervisor learned about “We Are Banff Late Night” (WABLN) and proposed to Whistler’s Healthy Communities committee that alternative programming to the bar scene begins. Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) took on the project.

2003
We Are Whistler Late Night was started, offering events once monthly, run by a WCSS youth outreach worker with assistance from RMOW Bylaw Services. The popular LUNAFLIKS outdoor film series at Lost Lake was begun during this trial period.

2004
The program was re-named Late & Unique Nighttime Alternatives (LUNA) and WCSS grant writer, Kiran Pal-Pross, acquired funding from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to offer LUNA events full-time. A volunteer training component was created to engage the program’s target audience into the development of its activities. At the end of the year, LUNA moved under the RMOW umbrella in order to retain the WCSS insurance policy.

2005
As a Community Life program, LUNA was integrated with municipal parks and services and the Youth Centre. LUNA offered several new events including a Christmas Dinner, drop-in lounge, Japanese culture night, yoga, snowshoeing, and bear awareness.

2006
LUNA joined the Active Communities initiative in October to help increase activity levels of Whistler residents by 20% by the year 2010, Larger events such as Moist, the Pool Party IV (offered during Welcome Week), the Tri-Huff-A-Lung beginners’ triathlon in partnership with the VCH smoking cessation initiative, LUNAFLIKS, and Sea to Sky Battle of the Bands, received much press exposure and attracted many emerging musicians.

2007
Drop-in sports saw a 9% increase in attendance over 2006. Whistler’s first Green Art Show, and a series of jam sessions paired with vocal, songwriting, and music licensing workshops were participatory and encouraged creative and cooperative experiences.

2008
12,700 young adults have engaged in alcohol-free nighttime programming with LUNA since 2003, and programming has quadrupled.  

2009 and beyond
LUNA will further develop young adult engagement efforts through projects in partnership with Whistler2020/Whistler Centre for Sustainability, Mountain Youth Society, Communities That Care, BC Healthy Living Alliance, and Whistler Blackcomb. A financial sustainability plan is in development as well as a program framework that can be implemented in other resort communities.

“We proudly advertise and promote LUNA as a best practice." 
Norm McPhail, Officer In Charge, Sea to Sky Regional Police Services for the RCMP

"I think what you are doing is amazing and I totally support it. All the best to you."  
Ndidi Cascade, hip-hop emcee, songwriter, recording artist and youth program facilitator

"Thanks again for a great event which was a great success. Soooooo many people there last night and the talent was just amazing over the last few days."  
Rob Michaels, Mountain FM Radio Jockey and Sea to Sky Battle of the Bands Judge, 2006 & 2007

"Thanks so much for hooking us up with the Snowbound night. The guys had a great time."  
Kevin Sansalone, pro rider, filmmaker, Sandbox Productions crew member, and snowboard designer

"I really enjoyed the movie and music at last Fri's LUNA event. You have a very informed group of people there."  
Pina Belperio, Council of Canadians member, Whistler Chapter

"I always hear good things about LUNA and the events that are put on, so we appreciate your efforts."  
Bill Barratt, CAO, Resort Municipality of Whistler

"I had an Events Management course during my schooling period, and your program, being hands on was far more beneficial, I learned more that way about events and had a blast doing it. Thank you, I obtained a lot from your program, I'm glad I participated in it, and keep up the good job!"
Magda Kwaterska, LUNA Community Event Coordination trainee 2006

"I just want to say thank you for being a great little program in Whistler, it was fun."  
Brenton Hays, LUNA member 2007