Rankin Inlet (Oct 27/04) - A long-time desire came to fruition with the opening of the Siqiniq bed and breakfast in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Rick Mann has been wanting to open his own bed and breakfast for quite some time now, but the timing just never seemed right during his 10 years in Rankin.

Guests at Rick Mann's new bed and breakfast in Rankin Inlet will be able to admire numerous pieces of Northern art during their stay. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

That changed earlier this year when his wife Lauren and two daughters Bayley and Kira moved to St. Albert, Alta., leaving Mann alone in the family home.

"Lauren and I had often talked about opening a bed and breakfast, and felt our time working in the service industry was a pretty good foundation for such a venture," says Mann.

"It would have been nice for us both to be operating it at the same place, but this is an opportunity for me to try it out, gain some experience and enjoy the company of the new people I meet."

Mann has two guest rooms available and clients have the full use of the dwelling, including laundry and kitchen facilities.

In addition to a tasty breakfast, his guests get to enjoy satellite TV and the use of the Internet and a fax machine -- all for $125 a night.

He is also willing to pick up his guests at the airport and drop them off at departure.

"Hopefully, that will be an added attraction to business travellers.

"Running the bed and breakfast will keep me busy and out of trouble.

"And, doing everything myself, I'm sure I'll quickly become your typical jack of all trades and master of none."

Offering a choice

Mann says even though a new hotel is about to join Rankin's growing hospitality sector, it's always nice for travellers to have options in a community.

He says he's not trying to compete with Rankin's bigger and more established facilities.

"I'm offering another option for people to look at when they visit Rankin and hopefully they'll find it an attractive one.

"I have the rooms and just finished all the inside renovations, so why not give it a try?

"The house seems so empty since my family moved, I can certainly use the company."