New Life For Green Valley Motel

Photo: Work continues on renovating the former Green Valley Motel on 25th Avenue, which will open in the next few weeks as the Okanagan Royal Park Inn

A one time notorious site in Vernon is getting a fresh start.

The former Green Valley Motel on 25th Avenue which was known for its illegal activity, has new owners who have completely refurbished it, and renamed it the Okanagan Royal Park Inn.

Mayor Akbal Mund credits the new owners — Hardial Chahal and Jasbinder Purewal — for their investment.

“I’m impressed with the way it looks. They’ve done a great job in turning something that was an eyesore in the community into something that is looking nice. Now, what happens from here, I can’t tell you,” says Mund.

The owners say they will rent to tourists and locals, but the maximum stay will be 28 days, so no monthly rentals.

“I love the fact that no one is going to be in there for 28 days or more, even though the bylaw says you can be in there for 240 days in a row. And that’s because hotels have their down time, so you want to make sure they can make money and survive the winter months,” adds Mund.

It’s believed the new owners paid around one million dollars for the property which is across the street from Polson Park.