SISTERS, OR -- A Sisters couple hopes to build a new hotel on a property that's been in their family for decades. Steve Rodgers says tourism is a huge part of what sustains Sisters Country, and the area needs more lodging options to keep visitors spending money in town, "It's sold out a lot of the time; it's booked. No vacancy in the summers. What I really want is for people to be walking around town in the evenings, to help the stores that are in town to stay open. And if we don't have overnight guests, they'll move on to Bend and to Redmond, if we don't have the rooms for them."

The Grandstay Hotel and Suites would have 39 rooms, including two whirlpool suites and four two-room extended stay suites with kitchenettes. And, Rodgers tells KBND News the building will fit the western theme Sisters is known for. He's received preliminary approval from the city and is now waiting for permits. Rodgers hopes to break ground at the property near Highway 20 and Railway Ave. soon, "I'm hoping, April - Sometime in April; then to be done by the first of 2019, February, March. I definitely would like to be open by Spring break. If I could pull that off, I'd feel very fortunate."