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RANKIN INLET
A large gathering of wellwishers were on hand to officially open the Nanuq Suites in Rankin Inlet earlier this month.

The Suites join owner John Hickes's Nanuq Lodge in offering comfortable lodging in a relaxed atmosphere.

Hickes said there were a lot more people at the opening than he expected.

He said the new 16-room hotel features a large common area like the Nanuq Lodge and a host of state-of-the-art fixtures and amenities.

"We conducted a corporate survey of our potential clients to see what they wanted," said Hickes.

"They've had a taste of our hospitality at the Nanuq during the past few years, and everyone seems quite happy with the service we provide.

"Most of our clients are government workers, surveyors, corporate people or consultants, so they wanted work stations in the rooms of the new Nanuq Suites.

"They also wanted a comfortable bed in a separate room so they can close the door to the sleeping area, entertain clients or do business in the main room."

While the Nanuq Suites does not have a serving kitchen, each room has its own kitchenette.

The hotel also offers access to tea and coffee, individual heat control, and safety electrical outlets with sensors to prevent fires.

The building features a utilidor-based water and sewage system, houses three boilers, and has a circulation system that provides fresh air in six-hour cycles to all but eliminate any odour.

It's accessible by wheelchair and has a room especially designed to accommodate wheelchair users.

Hickes said with another large hotel set to begin construction, the success of the industry in Rankin may very well be married to the success of the Meliadine gold mine.

He said if the mine doesn't go ahead, for whatever reason, Rankin would have a new hotel problem - overcapacity.

"If the mine creates as much work as people seem to think it will, this town will need every room it can get.

"So, the timing was right for us to go ahead with the Nanuq Suites now.

"In building the hotel, Arcan Construction went beyond what anyone would realistically expect from a construction company.

"I also owe a great deal of thanks to the staff at the Atuqtuarvik Corp., because every one of them went beyond their job descriptions in helping to make this hotel a reality."

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