MOUNT Isa's Barkly Hotel will undergo a transformation in the coming months.
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Justin Holman and his wife, Katie, took over as the new general manager two weeks ago and has a vision to host more events, reopen sections of the hotel, offer budget accommodation and introduce member discounts.
Mr Holman said the hotel had enormous potential, with three function rooms, nightclub and a conference room that were not being used to their full capacity.
He believes using these rooms will result in more jobs for city residents.
``I'm hoping to branch out and create more jobs,'' Mr Holman said.
He also hopes to give up-and-coming hotel managers training opportunities.
Mr Holman, 37, has 19 years' experience working in hotels.
He moved to Mount Isa from Toowoomba with his wife and their four-month-old son, Cooper, when the opportunity at the Barkly Hotel arose.
Mr Holman will be reintroducing Sunday monster raffles in the new year, which the hotel used to offer.
There is sausage sizzles on Friday and Sunday afternoons, with live music in the public bar every Friday from 8pm and every Sunday afternoon from 2pm for the traditional Sunday session.
The Barkly also offers daily gaming prizes in the Copperhill Gaming Lounge.
``I also want to host once-a-month special events,'' Mr Holman said.
Mr Holman said he hoped to attract a number of bands or DJs to perform at these events.
Other plans include a social pool competition on Wednesday nights and regular poker competitions.
Mr Holman said he also had plans to relocate the restaurant to another part of the hotel and create a social lounge-sports bar where people could enjoy a quiet drink with friends and catch up on their favourite sporting event from around the globe.
The hotel has two main bars, a full TAB, Keno facilities, 35 pokie machines and a beer garden.
The restaurant offers lunch and dinner seven days a week from midday to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm.
Mr Holman said he also hoped to support groups in the local community via sponsorship.
He said he loved working in the hospitality industry.
``I like the one-on-one contact with people from so many different walks of life,'' Mr Holman said.
``Every day is different.''
Keep your eye out for what's happening at the Barkly for Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations.