Technical Corner

December 22, 2025

The ORFA's December 19, 2025 ENews carried a notice of an emergency situation involving an ice resurfacer fire in Weyburn, SK [More]. Many of today's ice sheet operators would not be familiar with the Tim Hickman death in London, ON on April 2, 1996 when the ice resurfacer he was using unexpectantly exploded. The romance of an "ice resurfacer going round-and-round" on an ice sheet has been an attraction since first introduced by Frank J. Zamboni in 1949. When there is catastrophic failure of these machines it makes for a great news bite and then it often disappears with little additional detail on the event.

I have written endlessly over the years about how the ice resurfacer manufacturers have been an unwanted shield to facility managers failures. Sometimes it's a reference to exhaust from ice resurfacers have contributed to poor indoor air quality that at times have placed users and workers in the facility at risk. When this kind of event happens it is often an instant headline that suggests an ice resurfacer issue.  However, the root cause is more than likely a failure by facility management to properly maintain the machine that led to the high noxious gas level. In addition, facility staff are most often not properly trained to detect indoor air quality issues through a comprehensive internal workplace specific training plan. This often occurs as facility managers embrace a "that will never happen to us" philosophy.

The 1996 Hickman death was one of the catalysis to the creation of the ORFA Certified Ice Technician (CIT) professional designation as the coroners inquest held after the tragedy identified the ORFA in its findings, indicating that it would be diligent of the Association to develop and deliver training that would raise awareness and reduce the potential for similar tragedies. Investment by ice resurfacer manufacturers to build equipment with as little a risk of failure as possible protects their brand while significantly reducing a significant failure. Facility managers and operators must evaluate their ability to understand the risks associated with the post purchase care and control of these machines.

The ORFA will continue to monitor information from the recent Saskatchewan incident to mine contributing factors that can be added to our training materials for others to learn from. We remind all ice sheet operators and managers of our collective responsibility to regularly inspect, maintain and safely operate all ice maintenance equipment while being prepared to take control in the unlikelihood of an emergency event. The ORFA has identified many gaps in our level of facility emergency preparedness and as such, will be offering a Recreation Facilities Symposium - Emergency Management, October 26-27, 2026 in Markham, ON.  We continue to remain committed to providing leadership to the industry but this can only be achieved through the diligence of those on the frontlines tasked with keeping our facilities safe and serviceable.

I hope you will consider joining us in Markham this coming fall in person or online. Stay tuned for updates as we learn more about the Saskatchewan ice resurfacer fire incident.