Compass after Bruce and Boomer: The inside scoop from show producer Tracy Lightfoot

It's the question a lot of Prince Edward Islanders have been asking since CBC News: Compass host Bruce Rainnie and weather specialist Kevin "Boomer" Gallant announced they were leaving the show.

What's next?

• Calling all Island kids: Show us your best Bruce and Boomer impressions
• How you can say goodbye to Bruce and Boomer

Rainnie has been host of CBC News: Compass for the past 13 years. Gallant has been the show's weather specialist for 31 years.

They will both be leaving April 28. Rainnie is heading to a job as the executive director of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. Boomer is retiring to spend more time with his family.

Not everything has been decided. But here are some details that can be shared by Compass show producer Tracy Lightfoot.

1. What happens May 1?

I know a lot of our viewers are wondering what kind of impact Bruce and Boomer's departures will have on the show.

The two of them have been the most incredible duo anyone could ask for and we have been so lucky to have them here. If you asked our colleagues across the country, they would say they are two of the best in the business.

Will the show be different? Of course it will, how could it not be.

But I want everyone to know that Compass will still be Compass. We will still have local news, local weather, interviews, our community groups, and some regional, national, and international news too.

Compass is not going anywhere.

2. Who will be the next host of Compass?

We've been busy working on finding our next on air hosts.

We had applications for Bruce's job from dozens of people, from all across Canada. We're now in the final stages of deciding on the best candidate.

We know how important Compass is to Islanders and we really want to take the time to do things right.

I can't say anything more definitive than that at this point. I don't have a timeline, but I can say that we are close to the end of the process.

3. Who will be replacing Boomer? Will they have to wear Hawaiian shirts and like puns?

We're starting the process to find our next weather person next week. We thought about making Hawaiian shirts, shorts, and a love of the Toronto Maple Leafs all requirements, but then figured another person with all of that might be hard to find!

I expect that search will take a few months as well, by the time we go from beginning to end, but we've already had some interest from some great people and I'm sure we will have lots of great candidates.

And the position will definitely be based on P.E.I.

4. What happens until the new hosts are in place?

In the meantime, until we have our new hosts here, we have all kinds of talent in this building to host the show. Some of our reporters have filled in for Bruce in the past, and I know they're looking forward to hosting again.

In terms of the weather, our viewers know our CBC meteorologist in Halifax, Kalin Mitchell. Kalin has a very busy job already and we're grateful that he's going to lend us his expertise for the next little while as well.

5. What do you have planned on air for their final show?

Next Thursdaynight's farewell partyis going to be a blast. We're going to hear from Bruce and Boomer, of course, and we'll have some videos, maybe even a bit of music, and some surprises too.

Their last showon Fridayis going to be a ton of fun.

We'll take a look back at their first show together, we'll show some more moments from over the years, and we'll have a lot of laughs.

You never know what those two will say or do on the air. I will just leave it at that!

6. What will it be like for you watching them say good-bye for the last time?

For me, I definitely have mixed emotions, but above all else I am so happy for them. They are starting a new chapter in their lives, and that's always a great thing.

But that said, Bruce and I basically share a desk for eight hours every day. He lives right across the street from me, and our kids play together.

Boomer lives around the corner. I've gone to his spinning classes and to his house to watch TV.

The three of us have become friends and to say that I will miss them is a huge understatement. But as I say, I am happy for them, and for what lies ahead for them.

Compass will start its next chapter as well. We are still the best source of news on P.E.I., with a great team of people who give everything they have every day. That will never change.

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