Dear Editor:
I was sitting having breakfast in the Grouse Inn on Capilano Road when I picked up your newspaper of Wednesday, May 28 and read the article on page 1, Highrises Proposed for Lower Capilano. Paragraph 2 said, "Pacific Gate Investments has applied to build a 23-and a 19-storey tower, housing between 262 and 280 units, on the site occupied by the Grouse Inn and a gas station." The third paragraph from the end continued, "The development is in accordance with the district's vision of a village community centre on the spot, according to a district report penned by community planner Tamsin Guppy. Hotels like the Grouse Inn are increasingly outdated, according to the report.
I have stayed at the Grouse Inn a number of times in the past, and would continue to do so. Each time I've been there, it has been fairly full, which questions the above statement, "hotels like the Grouse Inn are increasingly outdated." I have found the two-storey Grouse Inn to be clean, comfortable, reasonably priced, with free parking, free continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. There is something classically nice about being able to see your car right in front of your motel room, and not having to squeeze into a crowded elevator with several other people and their luggage.
If the Grouse Inn is outdated, then so are a number of other motel/hotel structures near the Grouse Inn, such as Best Western Inn and Suites, Travelodge, Comfort Inn and Suites and North Vancouver Hotel.
I have found it difficult in the past to find a reasonably priced room in North Vancouver and hope that the Grouse Inn and others of similar design continue to provide accommodation in the area. I'll continue to stay aslong as it remains as is.
Otherwise, it would be good if the commercial building planned as part of the development has motel accommodation, but I doubt that it will.
Margaret Cochran
Qualicum Beach
