ORFA Facility Focus

Mar 24 2023 27 ep. 25 mins 10
ORFA Facility Focus Podcast artwork

Hosted by Terry Piche, CRFP, CIT, Technical Director, Ontario Recreation Facilities Association Inc.

  Business  Sports  Education
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Recreation Operational Melting Pot of Issues

Mar 24 2023 24 mins  
Recently, the ORFA Provincial R&D Group met virtually to discuss topics that members are raising as issues and challenges while ORFA staff presented their priorities to the group for awareness and feedback. The Provincial R&D Group consists of representatives from every region of the province. This network allows the ORFA to instantly connect with frontline practitioners on

The "Grass Root" Start of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI)

Feb 06 2023 35 mins  
In this podcast, ORFA Director Training, Research and Development speaks with Guelph Turfgrass Institute’s (GTI) Communications and Outreach Coordinator Dr. Sara Stricker about the “grass root” start of the GTI, its growth and future goals. The ORFA has had along relationship with the GTI and has partnered to bring education and training to ORFA members so they can understand

Not Your Supervisors BAR Course

Sep 20 2022 16 mins  
In this podcast, ORFA’s Director of Training, Research and Development looks back at the history of refrigeration training for ice rinks and the evolution that the Association has undertaken to get to where we are today. He answers the question that members are asking… is “BAR On Line Self Study” for our staff the right pathway? Spoiler alert….200+ member registrations se

ORFA Moves to No Final Test at the End of In-class Training Courses

Sep 09 2022 11 mins  
In this podcast, ORFA’s Technical Director looks back at the evolution of ORFA course final assessments while sharing the options that are coming on-line that will provide members with more flexibility to complete the final step in the training process. No longer does a member have to complete the final course assessment at the end of a in-class session – they now can have up t

The History and Importance of User Fees

Aug 19 2022 13 mins  
In this weeks podcast, ORFA’s Technical Director discusses recreational user fees. The current Hockey Canada saga includes the use of registration (user) fees for something their members deemed inappropriate. User fees are always a sensitive topic. Historically, the industry has not taken a business approach to setting these necessary fees and the result is a lack of ongoing inve

Good Bye Guelph, Hello Professional Development Programs!

Aug 05 2022 17 mins  
In this podcast, ORFA’s Technical Director looks back at the training event held each spring at the University of Guelph and explains that this format no longer works as we move forward. The Annual Spring & Fall Professional Development Programs are the new format that will drive how business will be conducted moving forward. Past President Tony Brenner would always say that

What is the Safest Ice Thickness?

Jul 08 2022 11 mins  
In this podcast, the Technical Director explains the history of ice thickness calculations. If you want to know how the “industry best practice” of 1.5 inches was arrived at and why it may not be the safest ice thickness in 2022.

When Can Users Actually Be Allowed Back in the Facility after an Electrical Disruption

Jun 30 2022 9 mins  
Often when the facilities electrical system stabilizes after a disruption our users are eager to get back in the facility. Determining when the doors can in fact be reopened takes some thought and planning. In this podcast, ORFA’s Technical Director explores the question of “when can we safely let users back into the building”? He looks at operational consideration such as em

A Walk Down Memory Lane with STAR

Jun 24 2022 62 mins  
As part of the ORFA 75th anniversary celebration ORFA CAO John Milton and TD Terry Piche recently caught up with current USA Hockey Executive Director Pat Kelleher and Dave Wescott owner of All-Star Arena’s to reflect on the start of the Canadian/US ice rink facility training relationship. Early in the 2000’s USA Hockey had a vision as to how they could assist rink owners in th

The Role of The Certified Playground Inspector

Jun 09 2022 19 mins  
In this Podcast, ORFA’s Technical Director untangles the legal requirements associated with playgrounds and play spaces. These facilities are an important part of every communities outdoor recreational environments. Creating an operational and maintenance plan that is balanced with an assert management plan is essential in today’s litigious world. There is no doubt that there i