O.R.F.A. eNews
JANUARY 2005 Click here for more information on O.R.F.A. Logbooks
Click here for more information on Municipal Alcohol Policy Guide
Click here for more information on Facilities Library Resources
Click here for more information on O.R.F.A. Awards
WELCOME NEW
O.R.F.A. MEMBERS

CORPORATE
Seda Seating Ltd.
Burlington, ON www.sedasport.com

Nu-Concept Ltd.
Jerry Cox, 905-655-6719

Crozier Agencies
Winnipeg, Manitoba www.croziergt.ca

INDIVIDUAL
David Mackenzie
Township of South Dundas

James Boulton
Ministry of Tourism and Recreation
ASSOCIATION NEWS
2005 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Please be reminded that O.R.F.A.'s membership year is from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31 of each year.  All returned 2005 membership renewal information is currently being updated and membership cards, certificates and window decals are being mailed this week to all members who have submitted payment as of Jan. 12, 2005. Please contact Helen Morrison, Administrative Assistant for assistance or clarification of membership services.
2005 REGIONAL INFORMATION SESSION DATES
East Elgin (Aylmer) - Mar. 3, 2005
Greater Napanee - Oct. 6, 2005
Midland - Nov. 30, 2005
O.R.F.A. RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT
Snow Load Analysis For Public Building Roof Systems
With the types of roofs and ages of most recreational roofs, all business operators and municipalities must be very vigilant in inspecting their roof decks for over-stressing due to heavy snow and/or water loads. [more...]

Suggested Guidelines for Arena Nets & Pegs
Having the proper procedures in place, purchasing the correct equipment and providing the appropriate training to staff and users go a long way to ensuring the safety of our patrons and staff using our facilities. [more...]
THE OPERATORS'S DILEMMA: SETTING THE LIMITS ON COMMUNITY PRIDE....BLASPHEMY OR PRACTICAL MANAGEMENT
Has your municipality developed a policy or a list of criteria that determines what sport and recreation memorabilia/trophies or banners can be publicly displayed? How does one determine a trophy from an artefact? Is it up to a local hall of fame organization to initiate this conservation and the right for the facility owner to set limits as to what is on display and for how long? To date it has been up to each community to find a system that works. Maintaining and encouraging community pride and local heritage without becoming the "town repository" can be a slippery slope. What has worked for you? Let us know so we can share your experiences. Send  your comments to library@orfa.com or fax 416-426-7385. 1) What does your municipality permit to be hung or displayed in public facilities. For example what criteria is used for sporting accomplishments and at what level; what's the timeframe (5yrs. provincial/national awards or 1yrs. for local or area championships? What about annual Invitational tournaments?) 2) Who is responsible for upkeep and maintenance and insurance of the banners/ display cases?  Is it left to the Municipality, Sporting organization, Service clubs or Hall of fame organizations. 3) Are these banners displayed at a designated facility (largest facility in town? memorial facility? or is each sport allocated a specific facility?)4) Is the local Sports Hall of Fame museum involved at all in the preservation of these banners, trophies, memorabilia etc.
O.R.F.A. ANNUAL REPORT
A summary of Association activities and projects is highlighted in the 2004 O.R.F.A. Annual Report.
 


  TRAINING CALENDAR
EVENT DATE
Municipal Performance Measures Program - London, ON Feb. 1
Municipal Performance Measures Program - Brockville, ON Feb. 2
Municipal Performance Measures Program - Gravenhurst, ON Feb. 4
Municipal Performance Measures Program - Thunder Bay, ON Feb. 9
Municipal Performance Measures Program - Sudbury, ON Feb. 16
Ontario Turfgrass Symposium - University of Guelph, ON Feb. 21-22
B-Class Refrigeration Operator Prep Course - Concord, ON Feb. 21-25, 28, Mar. 1-2
Safe Ice Resurfacer Operations Workshop - Winnipeg, MB Feb. 23
Basic Facility Housekeeping & Life Cycle Planning Workshops - Winnipeg, MB Feb. 24-25
Basic Facility Housekeeping & Life Cycle Planning Workshops - Grandview, MB Feb. 28-Mar. 1
Regional Information Session - East Elgin (Aylmer), ON Mar. 3
Click here for more information

REGIONAL TRAINING COURSES
OR IN-HOUSE TRAINING PROVIDER
O.R.F.A. continues to solicite both "Expressions of Interest" to act as training hosts for our 2005 Calendar of Training Events, as well as providing specific "In-House training quotations" to meet your operational needs. For more information, please contact:
Terry Piche, Technical Director at 416.426.7062.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH
DENNIS HULL TO BE GUEST SPEAKER AT GOLDEN GALA BANQUET
The O.R.F.A.'s 50th Annual Professional Development Program planning committee is pleased to confirm that Dennis Hull will act as special guest speaker for the "Golden Gala & Recognition Banquet" scheduled for Monday May 2, 2005 at the University of Guelph.
 The committee is also currently working with the Ontario Arenas Alumni to obtain historic memorabilia that celebrates and recognizes the Association's 50 years of rich training history.  If you have photographs, or items of interest that you would be willing to donate or share for the week, please contact either Bud Stanley or John Milton.

NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA CONFIRMS THAT O.R.F.A. WILL CO-ORDINATE A SECOND REPEAT REFRIGERATION DESIGN WORKSHOP
The Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (O.R.F.A.) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)’s CANMET Energy Technology Centre of Varennes invite you and any other member of your organization that you consider appropriate to participate in a Design of Refrigeration Systems one day Workshop to be held in North York, Ontario on March 30, 2005. The focus of the Workshop will be on design concepts to improve the energy efficiency of mechanical systems in ice and curling rinks. The participants will include representatives of consulting engineers, municipalities, equipment manufacturers, government and utilities.

This Workshop will help you:
  • reduce operating costs through energy efficiency
  • take advantage of state-of-the-art heat recovery concepts
  • discuss economic evaluation methods
  • learn about successful case studies
  • sustain Canada’s efforts in relation to the Kyoto Accord
The Workshop will also provide an opportunity to discuss barriers to the adoption of more efficient refrigerating technologies in recreation facilities. Please refer to the attached Workshop promotional flyer for registration details.

INDUSTRY NEWS & VIEWS
Ice Resurfacer Explosion
On Sunday, December 19, 2004, an explosion occurred at the Peterson Arena in Duluth, Minnesota. Early indications are that a propane tank leak on the 1975 Zamboni HDB is a likely cause.
Zamboni responded quickly to the incident by issuing a bulletin to distributors and customers reminding of  "the hazards and dangers inherent in all fuels for internal combustion engines.  As suppliers and facility operators, we need to continuously follow all safety instructions, including performing routines inspections and servicing of resurfacers. We must be ever vigilant in our preparedness and procedures in the handling of all of these operating fuels." (Zamboni Bulletin 04-41 dec-04)
Information about the ice resurfacer incident is found in the following links. Refer to your current Maintenance Operating Procedures as recommended by the manufacturer of your specific Ice Resurfacer model.  Ice resurfacers and any other arena equipment should be maintained according to Manufacturer's maintenance procedures to ensure safe operation and reliability. If you have lost or misplaced your maintenance manual contact the manufacturer for a replacement. Read news articles surrounding this incident. O.R.F.A.'s Ice Resurfacer Logbook is an effective risk management tool and will help you keep a permanent and accurate record of the ice resurfacing machine [more...].
  • Blast guts arena[more...]
  • Zamboni explodes in Duluth ice rink, starts raging fire[more...]
  • Duluth will get insurance money for destroyed arena [more...]
Environmental Awareness
Announcement from the Ministry of Environment: Pollution prevention planning for chlorine and a guideline for ammonia are the first components of a long-term strategy for municipal wastewater effluent to ensure that the release of wastewater effluents does not pose unacceptable risks to human and ecosystem health and fishery resources. [more...]
Increases To Minimum Wage
The McGuinty government is raising Ontario's minimum wage on February 1, 2005.[more...]
Municipal Performance Measures - Will You Be Ready?
Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing Minister John Gerretsen wrote to all Heads of Council in December 2004 announcing the formal introduction of 8 municipal performance measures for parks and recreation services. Follow the link to the Minister's letter, Schedule and List of Measures. O.R.F.A. along with Parks & Recreation Ontario and Ontario Parks Association are preparing a series of "how-to-implement the measures" workshops for senior parks and recreation staff and finance personnel for late January and February in various locations across the province.
Community Use of Schools
Community groups get cheaper rates when renting gyms, playing fields, meeting rooms. In July, the Ontario government announced $20 million to help boards open their schools to their communities.[more...]
T.S.S.A. Updates
Recent information from Technical Standards Safety Authority. Please follow links for important Boiler & Pressure Vessel updates.
  • Director's Order dated December, 2004[more...]
  • Boilers & Pressure Vessels Client Newsletter, December 2004 issue:[more...]
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization provides complete coverage on the South Asia earthquake and Tsunamis. For more information on Water and Sanitation visit their website:[more...]
Did You Know?
On Jan. 3, 1940, Zamboni activated a large refrigerator that would lead him to create a groundbreaking invention that would make him famous.
Liquor Licence Act As of February 1, 2005, the Liquor Licence Act requires certain premises to post signs warning women that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.[more...]
User Fees In Thunder Bay
Lakehead Schools eliminate user fees for community use of schools. [more...]
New T.S.S.A. Web Site
The Technical Standards & Safety Authority has changed their website www.tssa.org. Improved information and navigation to serve you better. [more...]
Snow Load Reminder
Winter is here and at this time O.R.F.A. reminds owners and operators to assess the risk of snow build up on roofs. [more...]

The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires an employer to ensure that a roof “is capable of supporting all loads to which it may be subjected without causing the materials therein to be stressed beyond the allowable unit stresses established under the Building Code Act” [s. 25(1)(e)]. The Occupational Health & Safety Act, section 9 (23) further requires that “all physical conditions of each building be inspected for safety at least once a month”. The Ministry of Labour (MOL) makes the following recommendations and a local MOL Office should be consulted if additional information and or clarification is required:
  • Owners of workplaces and/or employers at workplaces where there is snow on the roof of buildings should have the roofs assessed by a professional engineer to determine whether:
  • the snow load is significant, or
  • there are any visible signs of structural distress, for example, twisting, bending or cracking.
  • If snow is excessive or a roof shows signs of distress, the owner or employer should implement a safe snow removal procedure. • A snow removal operation should avoid producing any uneven or concentrated loading on the roof.
  • Areas onto which snow will be dumped from a roof should be secured to prevent access.
  • Also, workers on a roof must use fall-arrest or travel-restraint equipment in accordance with the fall protection requirements of the Regulations for Industrial Establishments (RRO 851, s. 85).
  • A civil or structural engineer should be consulted: (1) to determine whether snow loads are excessive; (2) to determine whether there are signs of structural distress; (3) to obtain a removal procedure that will not cause more structural problems; or (4) to reinforce a structure that is overstressed. The Ministry of Labour no longer releases reminders to owners of such obligations (MOL Bulletin of Apr.4/97) and it is therefore an owner responsibility to have structural inspections performed on an as required basis by a structural engineer.The Professional Engineers of Ontario have also published a guideline entitled, “Arenas: Structural Adequacy” which may be helpful and may be obtained at (416) 224-1100.
 
ONTARIO REREATION FACILITIES ASSOCIATION INC.
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