The general manager of the 2012 Arctic Winter Games is moving indoors.

The city announced this morning Chris Milner has been hired as the new indoors facilities manager, in charge of recreational sites like the Canada Games Centre and Takhini Arena.

No ads were posted nor recruitment done for the position after departing indoor facilities manager Art Manhire gave his notice in mid-August, human resources manager Barbara Walker said this morning.

"This is a highly unusual (situation),” she said.

Instead, the city contacted Milner and offered him the position after a meeting with him just days before he was scheduled to travel to Russia about a possible job with the 2014 Olympics.

Normally, the city would post for the job, a shortlist of candidates would be developed and interviews done from there before a final candidate would be selected.

However, the city worked extensively with Milner during the Arctic Winter Games.

He brings extensive experience, as well as working as a venue logistics manager at Whistler Olympic Park during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Milner has also done private consulting work in sport and recreation.

"He brings a tonne of skills,” Walker said.

With only a short window of opportunity to have Milner join the city staff, Walker said the decision was made to not post the job and instead offer it to him.

Milner was looking to stay in Whitehorse, Walker said.

"It takes a very special candidate,” she said.

While she hasn't pursued job candidates in this manner in Whitehorse, she noted, she has done so in other communities where she's worked.

The wage range for the position is between $98,500 and $111,009 annually. Milner will begin his work with the city Oct. 1.

Milner was not available for comment before press time this afternoon.

In a statement, he said: "I'm both proud and excited to play a continued role in supporting sport and recreation in Whitehorse.

"We have top-quality facilities, services and community organizations in Whitehorse, and being part of that system is a real honour.”

Manhire has already left the city, having accepted a job at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont. He could not be reached for comment.

Late last month, after Manhire had given notice that he'd be leaving the city and was out of town (though still in his job), posters were put up (and quickly removed) defaming Manhire's character and suggesting he should be removed from his position.

City manager Stan Westby came to Manhire's defence, arguing the anonymous statements were not true and offering the city's "unequivocal support” for Manhire.