INUVIK - The Inuvik Family Centre is shuffling its staff and a new supervisor was crowned this weekend.

Lifeguard Rob Smith will take over as supervisor of the centre and its activities.

Departing family centre supervisor Bobby Despres, right, hands the keys to the centre to lifeguard Rob Smith, who will be taking his place effective Saturday, Feb. 24. Despres, who has been working for the Town of Inuvik for the past five years, is moving home to New Brunswick. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Bobby Despres held the position since the pool opened two years ago.

He is moving back home to Fredericton, N.B. with his wife and two children.

"My wife got a great position with the provincial government, so we're relocating," said Despres.

"This is a good way for the kids to spend time with their other grandparents."

"Rob is a great guy with tons of experience for this position," said Despres.

"Inuvik is lucky to have Rob in charge of the family centre."

He has experience in managing other pools. Smith said the biggest difference for him will be the decrease in his poolside duties.

"I am going to be behind a desk now and spending less time on the pool deck," he said.

Smith, who is a lifeguard and swim instructor at the centre, said he will still be involved in a few programs.

"I'm still going to be involved with the masters swim group and swim lessons," he said.

Despres said he will miss Inuvik and will hold onto the memories he has from his time in the North.

"My best memories are from playing in the midnight sun slo-pitch tournament," said Despres.

"It was past midnight and the sun was still out."

Despres said he remembers when the family centre first opened its doors to the public.

"There were lines right out the door, it was crazy," he said.

"Now we have a steady group of regular swimmers for each program."

The busiest program offered at the pool has been the weekly teen swim sessions.

"There are always a lot of youth here for those nights," said Despres.

Smith said he is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

"The first step is a minor schedule change and we also need to fill a staffing gap for a new lifeguard," said Smith.

"I'm looking forward to this."