Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

Revived Barkerville Grande Opening Today

By Elaine Macdonald

 
    

This will be a special grande opening day for Barkerville, as it is,"Under New Management".  Although it has been open since mid May, today Barkerville  brings out all the bells and whistles for a grande season opener.

Threatened with closure a year ago when the Province decided it would no longer fund the historical site, the "Barkerville Heritage Trust" was formed with an eye to saving, and operating B.C.'s gold rush town.

The Board of the new non-profit organization, worked a deal with the Province and came away with an annual grant of $750 thousand dollars, a further $1.65 million in transitional funding over three years and $2 million for a capital reserve fund.

The organization's Vice Chair, Murry Krause, says Barkerville's new future faces some challenges, not the least of which is getting out the word that the town is open, alive and thriving. He says there was so much confusion after the Province announced it was pulling funding a year ago, that many people assumed Barkerville was closed.

Today's grand opening is set for 2:00 this afternoon with Theatre Royale presenting all four of it's shows, to be followed by a reception at the Wells Community Hall. 

Krause says they have learned an important lesson,and that is Barkerville cannot survive on its own, it has to work with the neighbouring community of Wells, and its central interior neighbours of Quesnel and Prince George.

Krause laughs when reminded the Heritage Trust took control of the future of the historic town on April 1st of this year, but is confident Barkerville will succeed, proving the Board is no fool.
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