Inuvik (Jun 02/06) - For the second time in two years, Don Cross is being recognized for his tireless work for the Town of Inuvik.

Painting walls, fixing dry wall, checking chlorine levels and special event maintenance are all duties that Cross does, along with his crew of workers at the Inuvik Family Centre.

Don Cross is the facility foreman for the Town of Inuvik. He recently received the NWT award for facility maintainers. Cross also won the award two years ago. He and his crew are busy setting up for the upcoming petroleum show. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Cross works as facility foreman and has held the position for the past four years.

"I was more or less just passing through town and ended up staying here," said Cross of his beginnings at the centre.

He was nominated for the annual Territorial Facility Maintainers’ award this year by the town office. He won the honour for the second time, having first received it in 2004. The gang of workers at the Family Centre are busy preparing for the upcoming petroleum show.

"Right now we are just laying down the power lines for each booth," said Cross.

Setting up the petroleum show is not an easy task and couldn't be done without the support of his workers, said Cross.

"I have a great bunch of guys here. We all get a long and we all know what needs to be done."

The show runs from June 14-15. Cross is also certified to maintain the pool, which is a daily task. "I check the water levels and make sure the chemicals are balanced, too," said Cross.

Patching dry wall, painting and other construction jobs are also on Cross's to-do list.

"We spent the last few days fixing the walls in the main hallway," said Cross.

At the end of the day, he knows it’s teamwork that led him to this award.

"As a group, we make sure this place works as good as it does," said Cross.