A fine new addition to the business section of Quesnel, and one that will be more than welcomed by the traveling public, went into operation late last week with the opening of the Billy Barker Inn, at the corner of McLean Street and Barlow Avenue.
Designed by architect Lynn Fonseca for a group of Prince George business men, the new building is one of the finest of its type in the entire Central Interior.
Co-owners of the new hotel, which has been under construction since last fall, are Lawley Carrelli, Reno Berdusco, Fred Tasluk and Don Gillis, and the business will operate under the name of Barker Holdings Ltd. All members of the company have a background in hotel business dating back 30 years or more.
The two-storey structure has 30 guest rooms located on the upper floor, all with private bath and telephone. Most rooms are furnished with twin beds. There is an executive suite combining three rooms which offers faciilties for business conferences, and a smaller room that is also suitable for such a gathering.
Wall-to-wall carpeting has been used exclusively throughout the upper floor, with the exception of the tiled bathrooms. Pastel tones have been used in the room decoration with contrasting draperies and bedspreads.
The ground floor houses a spacious lobby, lounge, beverage rooms, coffee shop and dining room. Sample rooms and a special banquet room with accommodation for 250 are locaited in the basement, which is completely air-conditioned to provide a maximum of ventilation.
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...
From the Quesnel Cariboo Observer