<p>A ribbon cutting ceremony and reception Sept. 17 marked a year-long, $2 million repair project for the timeshare. Surfside Inn Manager Mary Mason, Project Manager George Castiello, Surfside Condominium President Tom Heine, Vice-president Resort Renovation and Design Sam Buckingham, and Chief Architect Ray Bartel are all smiles after guests began occupying units Sept. 7.</p>

    Surfside Inn near the northern top of the Long Beach Peninsula is the latest local investment by Wyndam WorldMark, rejoining other company facilities in Seaside and Long Beach after a major year-long renovation.

    Our robust maritime climate and passing years had taken a noticeable toll on the Surfside Inn, which started near the pinnacle of our regions inventory of lodging places decades ago, but which slipped well behind. The ongoing flurry of investment in hotels in Clatsop County has considerably raised the bar in terms of expectations.

    Wyndam WorldMarks new commitment in Surfside in cooperation with the Surfside Condominium Association gets this facility back in the game.

    Unless theyve noticed it while clamming, many visitors may only be vaguely aware of Surfsides existence, since it is a privately owned community that barely shows up on government maps. It is, however, among Pacific Countys most populous places. It offers a great deal in terms of its secluded ocean setting beside a good golf course.

    Ongoing attention is necessary to make certain lodging facilities fit in with long-term community planning for our seashore and riversides. Yes should not always be the correct default answer to resort plans. Even in these challenging times, we have to smart stewards of our scenery and beaches.

    But as a general proposition, all these hotel and resort properties contribute much to our counties in terms of visitor amenities, jobs and lodging taxes. Were fortunate to have them.