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EDITORIAL: From rubble to royal

It was once a hotel of notoriety, and now, thanks to two brothers, it’s a respectable business
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Renovated Okanagan Royal Park Inn. (Submitted Photo)

It was a public eyesore, with garbage and needles strewn about the entrance to Vernon’s core from the heavily-travelled Highway 97A.

Now, however, it’s a bright and warm beacon that welcomes visitors and commuters from Lake Country and the south lands. And it’s all thanks to Vernon entrepreneurs Hardial Chahal and Jas Purewal, who purchased the infamous Green Valley Hotel and created the Okanagan Royal Park Inn.

The only remnant of the notorious hotel that remains is the location, as the brothers even seek to keep away the less-desirable clientele that was known to frequent the affordable accommodation.

In the life of the Green Valley Hotel, police had a constant presence to mitigate the issues of drug use and other crime. Now, the Okanagan Royal Park Inn requires advance damage deposits and credit card checks.

It looks phenomenal both on paper and on the street corner and hope for their success is supported by both the city and neighbouring businesses. The two successful businessmen, who own another hotel in Vernon and the Twin Creeks Motel in Lumby, have protection in place from the Okanagan Royal Park Inn echoing the Green Valley Hotel, but it will be a strenuous effort to keep their provisions up to date. While the family shared concern over purchasing the land, the pair remains dedicated to the cause.

And for that, we are grateful to Chahal and Purewal. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

The newly renovated Okanagan Royal Park Inn is far removed from the location’s shady past.


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