From the Cariboo Observer

The Billy Barker Inn was, on Tuesday night, bought for an undisclosed sum by Fort St. James Ventures Ltd.

Mr. Ernie Arsenault, general manager of the purchasing company, announcing the takeover yesterday, said that extensions to the hotel, already envisaged by former owner, Mr. Jack Moffat, would go ahead as soon as a contractor could be found.

“Mr. Moffat had permission to go ahead with the additions to the hotel but had not put the bid out to contract,” said Mr. Arsenault.

The extensions, believed to cost in the region of $100,000, will include the building of thirty new bedrooms thereby adding an extra floor to the hotel.

“We hope to have the work completed before the start of next year’s tourist season,” said Mr. Arsenault.

Resident manager at the Billy Barker Inn will be Eugene Poirier.

Mr. Arsenault’s company already owns the Fort Hotel at Fort St. James where expansion plans are already going ahead.

As early visitors and guests called in last week workmen were still quietly moving about the building, adding a finishing touch here and there and making final furniture arrangements.

Throughout the entire construction and furnishing every endeavor was made to use BC and Canadian products. Local labor was also utilized to the fullest extent and the construction program that continued throughout the winter months did much to ease the unemployment situation here.

The building itself is an L-shaped structure erected around a steel frame with masonry walls on the north and east exposures. Outside walls on the west and south are a combination of stucco, tile and rock veneer up to the second floor level. From there up ranch-wall siding has been applied.

A natural gas hot-air system supplies heating for the building and the same duct system can be utilized for air-conditioning the entire building during the summer months. A combination of diffused and indirect lighting has been used in all public rooms on the ground floor, producing a subdued effect that dispels any hint of dimness.

Special attention was paid to the sound-proofing so that guests might be afforded the utmost privacy. Double wall construction was a feature of the upper floor finishing, and noise has been reduced to an absolute minimum throughout the entire building.

During building of the hotel Barker Holdings Ltd. acted as their own contractors, with Tom Ryan engaged as general foreman on the project.

Principals in the new project made a careful survey of the town before embarking on their new project. They are convinced that the future of Quesnel warrants the facilities they have provided, and they feel confident that the new Billy Barker Inn will prove still another attraction that will draw an increasing number of visitors to the town.

Kroehler Furniture Is Hotel Feature

All furniture for the bedrooms and lobby of the Billy Barker Inn has been made to order by the world’s largest furniture manufacturer, Kroehler. Specially designed by this firm for commercial use, the furniture features solid eastern hardwood construction, as in their other lines of furniture.

Night tables, dressers, end tables and other articles are equipped with fiberesin tops. This amazing finish is almost indestructible, repelling all stains and marks. It’s glossy surface is particularly easy to clean and has a spic and span appearance at all times.

Hoover Vacuums Are Deemed Best

In order to protect their investment in beautiful carpeting, which is laid throughout the Billy Barker Inn, the owners have selected Hoover upright vacuum cleaners.

They consider these are the only machines with the ability to remove deeply embedded sand and grit which is so damaging to any type of carpet.

A special soup warmer has been installed so there will be no danger of cold or cool soup being served. Next in line is the stainless steel steam table, with separate containers for roasts and an electric meat slicer.

In front of a huge walk-in freezer are meat blocks and hanging fro above hooks, which will hold the many choice meats, to facilitate cutting and storage before freezing or cooking. A slicer and many sharp knives are ready for instant use, no loss of steps being necessary. An automatic potato peeler adds to the speed of preparation.

A large stockroom holds all non-perishable items: jars of catsup, bottles of sauces, all kinds of dried foods. The pastry department is an island in itself, containing everything to make mouth-watering pies and pastries.

All in line are the gas steak broiler, double deep fryers and the range, which is equipped with a large griddle, spacious ovens and individual burners. Fascinating is the latest model of automatic dishwasher which cleans and sterilizes in minutes.

Licensed lounge will be named “The Quartz Room” and will be decorated in such a way as to capture the romance and atmosphere of the early gold rush days in which Billy Barker lived.

It will feature hand hewn beams, hurricane lanterns, gold pans and will show many early, unpublished photographs depicting Barkerville in its heyday.

Construction on the new hotel is expected to begin within the next few weeks with the completion date planned for April, 1961. Architect for the project is Lvnden F. Fonseca of Prince George.