Rankin Inlet (Nov 29/06) - A new face is trying to provide a breath of fresh air to the Kivalliq Region Visitor Centre at the Rankin Inlet airport.

The centre has been closed since November 2005.

Amey Warcrop is the new manager who appeared on the scene at the Kivalliq Region Visitor Centre in Rankin Inlet earlier this month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

New manager Amey Warcrop hails from Mabou, N.S., and arrived in Rankin on Nov. 1.

Warcrop fell in love with the North while in Iqaluit a couple of years ago.

She returned to Nunavut's capital this past September, and jumped at the chance when the Rankin opportunity came her way.

"Like many areas in the North, there were human resource issues surrounding the visitor centre," said Warcrop.

"The manager's position was advertised three or four times, but a suitable candidate just wasn't found.

"I have experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, so I quickly accepted when Nunavut Tourism offered me the Rankin position."

Warcrop is gathering as much information from across Nunavut as she can.

She said all seven Kivalliq communities will eventually be displayed, separately and equally, at the regional centre.

"I will, of course, focus on the Kivalliq, but I will also work with the Baffin and Kitikmeot so they know what we have to offer and I know more about their regions.

"I hope to become a stronger presence for outfitters and Nunavut Tourism members.

"Hopefully, once our relationship is established, they'll contact me with any change of information so that I'm always up to date with what I have at the centre."

Although still officially closed - an open house to re-launch the centre will take place on Jan. 8 - Warcrop can be found in the centre during the airport's busier times of the day. The number of people coming into the centre is starting to increase, and Warcrop provides them with as much information as she can.

"The centre is still a work in progress, but I'm hoping the outfitters in the region, and the various hotels, restaurants and bed-and-breakfast operations, will supply all their information.

"I want to learn as much about the Kivalliq as I can, so I can represent everyone well at the centre."she said.

Warcrop said all are welcome to view the items on display at the centre.

She said her goal is to see the visitor centre utilized to its full potential.

"It's in a great location because there's a lot of traffic through Rankin in the run of a week.

"I hope to attract more people with our artifacts and artwork.

"The more items we can add, the more people will, hopefully, come in, even if they don't need information."