Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (Jun 02/99) - When renovations are complete at the Siniktarvik Hotel in Rankin Inlet, the well-known Keewatin establishment will be joining the high-tech world of communication in a major way.

Renovation crews should be finishing their task this week and a brand new multi-media, multi-use facility will be open for both local and out-of-town businesses, groups, organizations and government agencies to make full use of modern, state-of-the-art audio and video presentation equipment.

Sela Campbell is the hotel manager and says the divider which once led to the old tourism centre was removed to combine that area with what was once salon A. She says a new sliding wall has been installed to make one or both areas available, depending on the size of an event being hosted.

"An 8' x 12' video screen is being installed in the new room with a projector capable of handling the latest in technology for audio/video presentations," says Campbell.

"The new setup also has teleconferencing capability and is Internet ready with high resolution to produce sharp pictures or images.

"The system will also feature a DVD (digital video disk) player, cordless microphones and be fully capable of playing feature movies. Really, what we're doing here, is creating a multi-use facility."

Campbell says the Siniktarvik attracts quite a number of out-of-town visitors, which helps stimulate the local economy. She says the latest additions should cement the hotel's reputation as the No. 1 meeting and conference centre in the Keewatin.

"Obviously, we now have much more to offer our guests, but we fully expect many local groups to make good use of the new facility as well."

Lou Kwasniowski of Sanajiit Construction Ltd. was the construction manager for the project. He says other than a carpet installer, everyone used on the project was a local worker and improvements aren't going to end with the multi-media centre.

"Everything in here is plug and play and both IBM and MAC compatible," says

Kwasniowski. "There's been about $150,000 worth of work done to the salon, which is the first part of a larger expansion to the hotel during the next few years.

"There are going to be changes to the kitchen, an upgrade to the rooms and a new and more luxurious dining room is going to be created. The renovations are aimed at keeping with the more modern hotels in the south in serving this region.

"As our community grows, the hotel will grow with it."