The Whistler Public Library is one of the only truly inclusive and accessible spaces in the heart of the Village — a place where families can rest, play, and learn together in an environment that feels calm, welcoming, and free for all.

Through recent community engagement and feedback from our family patrons, it became clear that our community needs a purposefully designed, sensory-friendly space to support families with neurodivergent children and youth.

With support from 100 Men Whistler, we plan to enhance our Children’s Department by installing a series of three Sensory Pods — interactive, cozy, and inclusive play structures designed to help children of all abilities regulate, explore, and create.

While Whistler Public Library is deeply grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, our municipality is currently in a period of fiscal austerity. The library has always been responsible for fundraising all public-facing furniture and technology — meaning that without the support of organizations like 100 Men Whistler, this project simply cannot happen.

These sensory pods directly address challenges identified in our Space Needs Assessment while strengthening Whistler’s capacity to support neurodiverse, anxious, and overstimulated children. Beyond providing a calm and creative refuge, this project helps destigmatize neurodivergence and builds a community where every child feels safe, seen, and supported — right in the heart of Whistler Village.