Joanasie Eegeesiak
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Mar 08/99) - For Hal Timer, the general manager's job at the Regency Frobisher Inn involves a lot more than just general managing.

The 37-year-old Iqaluit resident, who has worked at the hotel since April, 1997, also -- from time to time -- has to deal with lots of of social problems.

"There are so many social problems that affect day-to-day operations, everything from spousal abuse to alcohol abuse and drug abuse. Staff come to me for help sometimes. I try to help everybody...sometimes it's frustrating."

Timer works at the hotel on a yearly contract basis. He would like to keep working at the hotel, but there are outside forces that might take him away from his job.

He would, however, like to be around to see the opening of the newly-renovated lounge. Expected to be completed by mid-April, the lounge will feature sports entertainment and finger foods.

Timer said he expects the hotel, which has been open since 1969, to get busier after division because half of the business comes from government and the corporate sector.

"The hotel is looking at a 50-room expansion, which will double the size of the hotel. (There will be)

extensive renovations to the mall around us."

Timer hasn't always been in the service industry though.

"When I was younger I wanted to be an architect and I had some chances to do that, but one thing led to another and before you know it, I'm doing this job and loving it."

He said overall, he really likes dealing with the different problems that come with the different people in the hotel and he enjoys meeting so many people from so many different places.

"I like my job because there are so many demands on my time. A lot of people don't like that, but I like that."