We certainly hope Town council sticks to its guns by not bowing to Coast Hotels in their bid to change the design of their entrance canopy on Station Street.

The hotelier initially presented council with a timber frame design, but that was reportedly an error and the developer later found out that design would cost triple than expected. It then requested a change in the design and submitted a steel frame concept with wood accents. Ugh … not nearly as nice as timber.

One Facebook post said it doesn’t matter what the hotel entrance looks like as long as Oliver gets a hotel.

We beg to differ. It does matter. A lot.

This hotel is going to be around for a long time, so why not press for the best looking design? If Tim Hortons can use timber for its new entrance in Senkulmen Business Park, why can’t Coast Hotels?

We understand that cost is an issue, but Coast Hotels, as far as we know, isn’t hurting for money.

The difference in cost between a timber frame canopy and a steel frame design is about $100,000, according to the project manager. That’s not a lot of money when you consider the hotel will cost $8 million.

Maybe Coast Hotels thinks small town Oliver is desperate and will settle for less as long as they get their hotel.

The fact is this rezoning of Centennial RV Park came at some sacrifice – the community lost green space and a business valued by many residents and vacationers. Beautiful trees were cut down and birds and squirrels had to pack their bags and find another home.

Some economic activity was also sacrificed because park users will no longer be spending thousands of dollars a year in Oliver.

Council has every right to demand the most aesthetically pleasing design as possible and should not settle for second best. Besides, the Town is giving the hotelier a 10-year tax exemption.

Coast Hotels is getting a prime spot in Oliver, right next to the river, and no doubt it will make a profit while it’s here.

At the same time, Oliver is getting its wish by landing a new hotel and boosting the local economy.

Let’s not cut corners so soon by scrimping on material.

If we allow this modification, what other changes could be forthcoming?