Big Expansion Planned

Sep 23, 1965History

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.