A News Magazine for Recreation Facility Personnel in British Columbia facility facility 2 S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0

LEADING THE WAY WITH A NEW AND INNOVATIVE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM...

INSIDE... ry The Histo of the RFABC m Awards’ Progra

A News * Magazine for Recreation Facility Personnel in British Columbia | Excellence in Education

Terry Welsh...... [email protected]

ABC 2020 RFABC RECREATION FACILITIES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Board of Directors Leaders of Recreation Facility Operations

EXECUTIVE ZONE DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT ISLAND ZONE DIRECTOR Terry Welsh...... [email protected] Brad Coleman ...... bcoleman@[email protected] PRESIDENT-ELECT LOWER MAINLAND ZONE DIRECTOR Carol Sheridan ...... [email protected] Steve Napper...... [email protected] PAST PRESIDENT THOMPSON/OKANAGAN DIRECTOR John Marcellus ...... [email protected] Mike Fetterer...... [email protected] CARIBOO ZONE DIRECTOR TREASURER Craig Langille...... [email protected] Ron Dietrich...... [email protected] SKEENA BULKLEY ZONE DIRECTOR SECRETARY Vacant Sheena Boyles...... [email protected] NORTH ZONE DIRECTOR TECHNICAL CHAIR Vacant Jayson Murray...... [email protected] EAST/WEST KOOTENAY ZONE DIRECTOR EDUCATION CHAIR Vacant

Ron Aubrey...... [email protected] MARKETING & MEMBERSHIP CHAIR STAFF

Erica McDonald...... Erica.mcdonald@vancouver.ca EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ASSOCIATES DIRECTOR Dwayne Kalynchuk ...... [email protected] Jalal Elarid...... [email protected] BUSINESS AND MARKETING MANAGER Larry Robinson ...... [email protected] Dan Pagely ...... [email protected] PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Gary Paterson ...... [email protected] Don Chow ...... [email protected]

ABC RFABC ASSOCIATE RECREATION FACILITIES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Members Leaders of Recreation Facility Operations

Over the past many years, the Associate membership of the This list of our Associate members is proudly provided for the benefit Recreation Facilities Association of British Columbia has played a of our membership. When looking for excellence in products and pivotal role in the success and growth of our association. The services, we encourage you to look first to this list before you shop following companies and their staff have consistently strived to elsewhere. You will be pleasantly surprised to find everything you provide excellent technical advice and first-rate products and services need right here. For a list of their products, services and contact that are used by our valued individual members, as well as private and information please visit our website at www.rfabc.com municipal members on a day to day basis.

A2Z Arena Products Hi-Pro Sporting Goods Ltd. Accent Refrigeration Systems Island Cleaning Supplies AME Consulting Group Jet Ice Ltd. Aquam Inc. JS Refrigeration Engineering Inc. Architecture 49 Kendrick Equipment Athletica Sports Systems Lumalex Canada Ltd. Bay Resource Group Inc. Mayekawa Canada Berg Chilling Systems Omni Sport Inc. Bright Solutions Inc. Polar Engineering CARHA Hockey RecTec Industries Cascadia Sport Systems Inc. Rocky Point Engineering Ltd. Centaur Products Schoolhouse Products Inc. Chemours Inc. Sound Solutions Canada CIMCO Refrigeration Swish Maintenance Ltd. Critical Environment Technologies Titan Sport Systems DB Perks and Associates Ltd. RC Strategies +PERC Ecoboys Coating Ltd. Trane Northwest Erv Parent Company Ltd. Vimar Equipment Ltd. Fraser Valley Refrigeration Western Noise Control Ltd.

facility 2facility S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 3 facility S U M M E R 2 0 2 0 I S S U E ABC RECREATION FACILITIES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2facility Leaders of Recreation Facility Operations

Vision

ide... RFABC is the leading resource for recreation sector in British Ins Columbia...... 3 ...... 3 RFABC Board of Directors ...... 4 Mission RFABC 2019 Associate Members & Advertisers ...... 5 RFABC - Publishing Information ...... The mission of the RFABC is to promote safe and efficient . 5 RFABC Education Opportunities ...... operation of recreation facilities through the provision of . . 7 2021 RFABC Conference & Trade Show ...... educational opportunities, networking, training, and advocacy ...... for recreation sector. RFABC President’s Message ...... 9 ...... RFABC Executive Director’s Message ...... 10 ...... Critical Beliefs RFABC Education Corner...... 11 ...... RFABC Membership Spotlight ...... 13 We believe that our stewardship of recreation facility

The Importance of Engagement and Dialogue During COVID-19...... 15 infrastructure is essential to the quality of the ...... 16 recreation experience and contributes to healthy Essential Resources for Reopening Plans ...... communities. . . 21 The History of the RFABC Awards’ Program ...... RFABC Award Winners For 2020 ...... 25 We are committed to outcomes and are accountable for ...... the quality of the programs and services delivered. 2020 RFABC Life Membership - Ron Aubrey ...... 26 ...... 2020 RFABC Life Membership - Denis Leclerc We believe that collaboration is a productive approach . . . 27 ...... to achieving our mission. A School, An Arena and. A.... Converted...... Zamboni With A Logging Truck Wrap .... . 29 ...... We base our decisions on accurate data and research in ...... Do More with Less: .The..... Link.... Between. . . Cleaning Efficiency and Facility Safety. the best interest of the members and stakeholders.

We communicate with integrity and transparency.

We respect diversity of people and their views and we Publishing Information encourage networking and goodwill. Facility to Facility is the official magazine of the Recreation Contact Information Facilities Association of British Columbia, published four times per year. To contribute articles, contact the Editor, Mailing Address: Recreation Association of British Columbia Dwayne Kalynchuk PO Box 53590 Executive Director RPO Broadmead RFABC Victoria,BC V8X 5K2 PO Box 53590, RPO Broadmead Website: www.rfabc.com Victoria, BC V8X 5K2 Phone: 1-877-285-3421

facility 4 S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 2facility ABC excellence RECREATION FACILITIES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Leaders of Recreation Facility Operations in education SPECIAL NOTICE

RFABC Courses are starting up again, please check our website at www.rfabc.com for the latest information.

2021 RFABC Conference & Trade Show

April 26-28th Penticton, BC

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ABC PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE RECREATION FACILITIES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Terry Welsh Leaders of Recreation Facility Operations

Greetings to all from the RFABC Executive, Focus Group” and a joint session with BC Board, and Staff. I hope this issue of our Hockey “Return to Hockey”. summer edition of the F2F finds you safe and well. We have also been working closely with viaSport, BC Hockey, BC Ringette, Curl BC, and These are certainly trying times and I cannot other provincial and local sport organizations remember a time where a confluence of issues in supporting the development of their return has so greatly impacted our sector. COVID-19 to sport plans. And of course we continue our caught us by surprise and the socio-economic partnership with our regulatory agencies, impact has been unprecedented. Even given Technical Safety BC and WorkSafe. RFABC is this impact, our healthcare, frontline, and part of two ongoing TSBC initiatives related to essential workers have managed to keep our ammonia refrigeration plants. The first of society functioning throughout this pandemic. which is an Education Working Group focusing They deserve a huge shout out and it is difficult to express on Ammonia Prevention Strategies. The second is a how much gratitude and respect we have for all of these Refrigeration Advisory Group whose purpose is to provide efforts. We can all take pride in the excellent work of Dr. TSBC with industry insight and recommendations to support Henry and the Ministry of Health, along with the provincial industry in taking action on the recommendations in the health authorities in guiding us through these trying and Fernie ammonia release incident investigation report. This challenging times. group is also working on recommendations on the creation of educational and communication materials around promoting Through all of this it has been absolutely amazing how well refrigeration safety. As part of those parallel efforts, RFABC our sector has come together to share information, new is hosting an information webinar “Pathway to Ammonia operating protocols, and best practices to allow us to cope Equipment Integrity Program” featuring Ian Welle of Polar with the myriad of challenges we face in dealing with COVID- Engineering and our partners from TSBC. This is sure to be 19. One of the key learnings is that these efforts clearly an informative and valuable panel discussion and question & demonstrate the value of networking not just among our answer session. We also participated with WorkSafe BC on membership, but with our sector partners as a whole. their COVID-19 Safety Plan. All of these sector collaborations are very gratifying, in that they clearly demonstrate that the Our partners at BCRPA deserve recognition and appreciation sector is far stronger when working together. for the excellent work on their reopening plan “Guideline for Restarting Operations”. The guideline provides a flexible tool I'm pleased to report that RFABC has and will continue to be for municipal, non-profit, and commercial recreation able to weather this ongoing challenge. Our Executive facilities to design safe reopening plans that are site specific. Director, Dwayne Kalynchuk has been creative and very Since the development of the guideline, we have been diligent in accessing funding and controlling costs over the collaborating closely with BCRPA to deliver informational past six months. A combination of the federal funding webinars to our sector related to dealing with COVID-19 support and a generous donation and loan from a special challenges. Two joint webinars have been hosted, the first individual, Ron Aubrey, has ensured that we are able to being “Covid Cleaning Protocols”. Our appreciation to Wendy continue our support to members and the sector. Ron's Hansen of Servitech Training for her work in putting this passion and dedication to RFABC's education portfolios over valuable session together. The second joint session was the the years is unparalleled and is greatly appreciated. “BCRPA/RFABC/Lifesaving COVID-19 Webinar: Re-opening Pools”. This webinar was developed through the efforts of a Ron, along with Denis Leclerc received RFABC Life joint committee co-chaired by Corrinne Garret of RFABC and Memberships for their dedication and commitment to our Jordan Petrovic of BCRPA. Other RFABC Members of the organization and the recreation sector. More details on these committee were Ron Dietrich, Stephen McLain, Ryan Graham, two fine gentlemen follows later in this issue, along with all Erica McDonald, and Andrew Smeaton. Much appreciation to of the 2020 RFABC Award recipients. Normally all of these all involved for your efforts. Other RFABC webinars included great folks would be honoured at our annual conference, but “Strategies for Reopening Arenas”, “Arena Programmers unfortunately that is not possible this year. Jenna Stevens continued on next page... facility 2facility S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 7 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE... and the 2020 Conference Committee put together a great significant contributions to our association throughout his program for us, but unfortunately we had to cancel the service. I would also like to welcome Carol Sheridan to our conference due to the COVID pandemic. We very much Executive as President Elect. Welcome as well to Ron appreciate their efforts and look forward to their plans for Dietrich who also joins the Executive as Treasurer. I look Penticton in 2021. forward to working with our Board and Executive in serving our association. Many thanks to Dan Pagely, our Manager of Business & Marketing and our dedicated education cohort for their If I can leave you with a thought it is this. RFABC will speed in responding to an industry need for alternative continue its best efforts to support our Membership and the delivery of some of our training courses. They very quickly sector as we continue to navigate our way through the and professionally developed an online Pool Operator course COVID-19 pandemic. We've been learning and adapting on that has been very successful. Stay tuned for more the go and all of our efforts are about upholding the inherent developments on this front as RFABC looks at ways and value and benefits of recreation in our communities and means to improve our service delivery of training and improving our service delivery. education offerings. My wish for all, is that you and your families stay safe during As this is my first President's message, I would certainly be these trying times. Be well. remiss if I did not recognize and offer our sincere appreciation to Chris Siddaway our outgoing Past President. Chris has been a long time Member of RFABC and has made

facility 8 S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 2facility ABC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR‘S MESSAGE RECREATION FACILITIES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Dwayne Kalynchuk Leaders of Recreation Facility Operations

We continue at the RFABC to provide services to While the immediate future of in-person our membership with information webinars, conferences is unknown, we are examining the monthly newsletters via constant contact, and topics which were to be offered at the our quarterly magazine. Our in-person courses conference to determine if any of the are starting again with appropriate measures presentations could be offered through the and we are now offering our Pool Operator zoom media this fall. Course on-line. Speaking of zoom, we have acquired an account We are encouraging members to investigate the which will accommodate up to 500 participants. Recreation Facilities Asset Management (RFAM) We have partnered with the BCRPA on several program as we, in conjunction with Marmak back to work webinars, utilizing our account to Consultants are offering the inventory module accommodate as many participants as possible. free to member agencies. Asset management continues to be The Executive Director and I touch base on a regular basis to priority for municipal agencies across the country as both share information and see where we can collaborate to serve Provincial and Federal governments are requiring our membership during these challenging times. implementation prior to releasing any grant funding. Also check out the MAMP program through the Green Municipal We have populated our website with the latest information of Fund at FCM as they provide funding for asset management regulatory agencies, and examples of back to work plans. assessment and implementation. Please check it out at www.rfabc.com. If there is anything, we can help you and or your agency to answer any question or assist you any other way, please drop us a line or give us a call!

facility 2facility S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 9 ABC EDUCATION CORNER RECREATION FACILITIES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Dan Pagely Leaders of Recreation Facility Operations

Welcome to another edition of Education in class training to facility operators around the Corner. I hope you are enjoying some province. Our class sizes will be smaller to recreational time with friends and family to ensure that we are following physical distancing recharge yourselves. This past spring has been and we are taking other measures to protect the one of the busiest periods I have experienced, health and safety of the students and in our field of Parks and Recreation. In the early instructors. That said, we have been able to stages of the Pandemic we were busy with the support over 50 students in the months of June mandate to close our doors to the public and and July to obtain their RFABC Pool Operator 1 now we are busy reopening our doors with certificate through our new online platform. protocols that are all new to us. Our office has We are also in the process of developing a three- been fielding calls from many Provincial and hour online course to assist folks in cleaning Local Sports organizations, to assist them in protocols. We have heard from many program their safe “return to sport”. We have spoken with folks and administrative staff, that this will be important for them involved in arena-based sports/martial arts/ to understand, as they may involved in cleaning softball/aquatics and many more sports groups. We are also workstations/customer counters, program apparatus and grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Via Sport, as other points of contact on a more frequent basis. they developed their overarching return to sport document. The interface between sport and recreational facilities to In closing, I want to wish you all a safe and healthy return to ensure the safety of the athletes/staff and public was an some sense of normalcy and please call us if we can support important conversation that was included in the document. you in anyway. As we are now into Phase Three of the BC Restart plan, we are hopeful that we can get back to providing much needed

facility 10 S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 2facility ABC MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT RECREATION FACILITIES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Lyle Parlour Leaders of Recreation Facility Operations by Vince Kreiser

Lyle Parlour was the President of the RFABC Lyle was also heavily involved in his from 1982-1983. He also served on the community through his various personal Executive of the Association for a period of recreational activities. He was a President of time as the Okanagan Zone Director. In the Booster Club for the Salmon Arm addition to these duties, Lyle helped to host the Silverbacks junior hockey team during their attending delegates, spouses and Associates’ early days. He really enjoyed his various roles when his community of Salmon Arm was the in the local minor hockey program and was location for the annual RFABC Conference in recognized in 1984 for his outstanding service 1991 and also in 2001. by winning the prestigious Salmon Arm Minor Hockey Association's President's Award. In Lyle provided some dedicated and friendly addition, he was named a Honorary Life leadership for the Association. During his Member in 2007 by the minor hockey Presidential year Lyle really appreciated the association for his long time dedication to that stalwart efforts of the late Gerry Morgan from Gold River in organization. One of Lyle's friends also indicated that he was his role as the Association's Secretary-Treasurer. Gerry was an excellent dancer and was the smoothest roller skater in an excellent administrator and did a nice job of keeping the Salmon Arm. affairs of the Association in good order. Lyle also really enjoyed working with the other members of the executive in Lyle retired from the field of recreation in April of 1996 and their important role of meeting the needs of the members as now lives at Bastion Place in Salmon Arm. During the early they worked around the province in the recreation facilities' days of his retirement he was very involved with the Canoe field. Senior Citizens’ Association. These days he keeps himself busy at his place of residence playing crib and bingo as well He worked as the Facilities Manager at the Salmon Arm as going to places in town like the casino. Memorial Arena. He also worked with the Parks' Department and had responsibilities within the Community Centre as It was great to see Lyle in Kelowna along with many other well. Lyle really enjoyed interacting with the people at the Past Presidents as the RFABC celebrated its 70th birthday at facility. In addition, he enjoyed hosting and marketing special the annual conference in 2018. events like the circus, Reveen, the hypnotist, an Ian Tyson concert and a number of others in the arena over the years. When asked what his best memories of the Association were, Lyle indicated that he was really impressed with the first conference that he attended in Trail in 1973. He enjoyed the camaraderie of the event and the information gained from his participation. Covid-Cleaning for our Workspaces Webinar

This three-hour online • COVID-19 What is it & why is this one different? Learn about this new course is designed for coronavirus administrative staff, • The Chemistry of cleaning. The cleaning processes. T.A.C.T. factors. program staff and for those that just want more up to • How do our cleaners work? What makes them effective? date cleaning strategies, • Detergents & Disinfectants - What is the difference? Are they safe? related to Covid -19. We know everyone is taking • The importance of hand washing. Soap and water or hand sanitizer? more precautions with • Where do we clean? Think about hands - where do they go…? cleaning customer contact Other measures to reduce contamination. Give people the tools to areas, personal office spaces • help you, and they usually will. and this will course will provide you with the tools you need to be safe. • Protection for you, and those around you. When: August 25, 2020 9am - noon Watch for registration details: www.rfabc.com

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The Importance of Engagement and Dialogue During COVID-19 By: Stephen Slawuta on behalf of the RC Strategies Team

As a planning firm that works in multiple communities of all activities once they are made available again, it is important sizes across Western and Northern Canada, our team has had to recognize that others may have varying levels of hesitancy. a unique vantage point from which to observe how Leger's most recent (July 6, 2020) weekly survey of recreation service providers and facility operators have Canadians found that 43% of British Columbians do not reacted and adjusted to the impacts of COVID-19. In more believe we have reached the end of the first wave and 82% recent month's members of our team have also been involved believe that there will be second wave later his year. The in an advisory capacity with a number of provincial and national parks, recreation, and trails organizations that have Leger survey also found that the majority of Canadians been working to help the recreation sector navigate through believe that the resumption of normal activities will be at re-opening protocols, facility management, and other aspects least 6-12 months or more away. Citing these findings isn't of providing recreation during the ongoing pandemic. Of meant to be negative or cast doubt on the great progress particular interest to us has been to observe (and in some we've made in flattening the curve, but rather illustrate the cases directly experience through our project work) how point that a high level of uneasiness still exists that will engagement and dialogue with community residents and impact what people do in their leisure time. Given the costs recreation facility users has changed because of COVID-19. associated with re-opening and adapting facilities for use Recognizing that the situation remains ever evolving, this during the pandemic (the Canadian Parks and Recreation article summarizes a few of our observations to-date as well Association has estimated that municipal and not for profit as some thoughts on how the pandemic may change how we recreation facility operators in Canada may be exposed to engage with facility users on a go-forward basis. additional operating cost in excess of $226 million) it will be vitally important to gauge local residents on their expected During the initial months of the pandemic we observed a levels of use and factors that may influence their comfort strong hesitancy among many local governments to engage level in using facilities. Fielding monthly community with their residents about any topics except for those directly questionnaires, developing local advisory groups made up of related to COVID-19. This was completely understandable facility patrons and user groups, and making use of online given the need to ensure messaging was focused on platforms are all excellent ways to gather input and ensure pandemic related issues, services, and supports. However, that you have your finger on the pulse of your community over the last few months we have seen a growing desire by and facility patrons. community members to engage in “quality of life” topics such as recreation and many municipalities and regional Engaging with residents will also be necessary to understand governments are now better positioned to re-engage in these how recreation and active living activities and preferences conversations. In fact, many of our public sector clients have have evolved as a result of the pandemic. While some experienced stronger than normal response levels to individuals may have adapted their activities with the full recreation focused surveys, online engagement topics, and intention of returning to their normal routine (and virtual discussion sessions. Perhaps this is a product of the associated facility use), other individuals may have found pandemic causing people to think more about their new activities and routines that could become their new community and/or gain an even greater appreciation for norm. As one example, a survey fielded a couple months ago their local recreation facilities, spaces, and programming. by the Australian Leisure Network found that 30% of Another more practical reason could simply be that people individuals have tried a home based workout. Many private have more time to engage on community topics as a result of sector fitness providers offered online fitness opportunities fewer scheduled activities, working from home, and reduced prior to the pandemic and were well positioned to adapt to holiday travel opportunities. the onset of COVID-19. Encouragingly, we also observed a number of municipal and not for profit quickly adapt and As we begin to re-open facilities (or plan for future re- mobilize their resources to offer virtual fitness classes. Could opening in the fall) it will be even more critical to gather virtual classes remain in strong demand over the coming public input. While some individuals may feel completely comfortable returning to their favourite facilities and continued on next page... facility 2facility S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 13 The Importance of Engagement and Dialogue During COVID-19 . . . months and possibly beyond the pandemic? Will municipal be a high priority for recreation departments and facility and not for profit providers need to offer virtual fitness providers to continue working collaboratively with these opportunities as part of a membership (similar to many groups on return to play protocols, implementation and private sector providers)? These are questions that we need mitigating financial challenges that may be faced by the to further explore as we plan for the future. organization and their participants.

Another dynamic that we must consider is the financial Despite the ongoing challenges of providing active living impact of the pandemic. TransUnion's monthly Financial opportunities during a pandemic and the unknowns of the Hardship Report found that 56% of Canadians believe their coming months, our team has been inspired by the resiliency financial situation has been impacted by the pandemic and of the recreation sector. We have also been encouraged by 58% have reacted by cutting back on discretionary spending. the willingness of residents to participate in conversations The pandemic has also significantly impacted those about the future of recreation in their communities, both organizations that provide active living in our communities. short term and long term. If you take anything away from The findings of a recent survey fielded by Sport for Life this article we hope that it is some level of encouragement indicated that 25% of sport organizations are concerned and rationale for continuing to engage with your residents about membership retention and the associated impact on and facility patrons and using this information to drive operations and service. Approximately one-fifth (21%) of decision making. sport organizations also indicated that without financial support in the coming months they may need to close or About the Author: Stephen Slawuta is a partner with RC drastically change. Yet the same survey also showed that Strategies, a Community Development firm specializing in there is great resiliency among sport groups and the capacity parks, recreation, trails and leisure strategic planning. For to navigate through the pandemic. Moving forward, it should more information on the firm please www.rcstrategies.ca.

COMING SOON!! Watch for details on an important webinar in August. Aerosol Mitigation in Recreational Facilities The World Health Organization has recently identified The presentation will cover: COVID 19 can potentially be transmitted via aerosolized droplets. ASHRAE has created the Epidemic Task Force • Role of aerosols and how they work. which is broken into a number of work teams with representation from around the globe to assess risks in • Impact of humidity, temperature and activity levels the indoor environment including HVAC systems and on aerosols generate strategies mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. • Different types of systems and applications in our climate region. Kyle Hasenkox, from BC's Rocky Point Engineering is a member of ASHRAE's ETF and has offered his expertise • General overview of some disinfection and filtration in providing a webinar to the recreation sector. Kyle has strategies. been volunteering to assist in generating this guidance information and has been part of some panels and • Guidance on low cost or no cost measures that can be presentations in the US and eastern Canada to help applied in times of risk and how they impact explain it. operations.

The session will provide an overview of the risks, options • Guidance on reopening buildings and free resources to mitigate risk and help provide some resources from a available non bias perspective. ASHRAE's intent is to provide an unbiased, fact based perspective and answer questions • Questions people have in regards to ASHRAE and for building owners and operators. other material

facility 14 S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 2facility COVID-19 RECOVERY Essential Resources for Reopening Plans

Over the past few months, resources have been developed to BC Restart Plan aid the recreation sector in reopening. Though a directive The plan provides overall principles for reopening and asks would be the easiest solution, the information we have our sector to create plans that address: comes as guidance documents. Each facility, community, customer base and decision-making process is unique. • Physical distancing measures – measures to reduce the We have highlighted some of the foundational guidelines for density of people. your consideration. The RFABC Library • Engineering controls – physical barriers (like plexiglass (www.rfabc.com/library) continues to gather information at checkouts), or increased ventilation. from the sector, partners and members. • Administrative controls – clear rules and guidelines. The Recreation & Parks Sector Guideline for • Personal protective equipment – e.g. use of non-medical Restarting Operations masks

COVID:19 https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and- Recovery emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response- through recovery/gdx/bcs_restart_plan_web.pdf Recreation and Parks ViaSport Sport is returning to British Columbia in accordance with the Produced at the B.C.Restart Plan. At the request of the Province of B.C., request of the viaSport has led the creation of a set of guidelines on how to Ministry of resume sport while operating safely during this pandemic – Tourism, Arts the Return to Sport Guidelines. As outlined in ' B.C.s Restart and Culture and Plan, sport activities can resume in accordance with the the Provincial viaSport Return to Sport Guidelines and public health Health Office, protocols. Sport should be more geared towards community The Recreation participation and training rather than games and provincial competition. Further information will be shared once it Guideline for becomes available. Restarting Operations https://www.viasport.ca/return-sport (The Guideline) is a planning Ministry of Health Guideline for Swimming Pools tool to help our public recreation and parks sector to Under Phase 2 of British Columbia's Restart Plan, operation carefully re-open and offer services and programs safely of swimming pools is allowed. All BC Pool Regulation during this COVID-19 pandemic. requirements remain unchanged and in place. You will need to develop and implement a COVID-19 Safety Plan, post a Created by a Task Force comprised of nine BCRPA members, copy on your website (if you have one) and at your and with the input of the sector's senior leaders from every workplace so that it is readily available for review by anyone local and regional government, provincial authorities and who may attend the site, including the public. sector stakeholders, The Guideline provides a framework for BCRPA members to develop restart plans and procedures This document provides guidance for preventing specific to municipalities and regional districts. transmission of COVID-19 to operators of swimming pools, and will support you in preparing your COVID-19 Safety Plan https://www.bcrpa.bc.ca/media/242766/bcrpa-restarting- guidelines-final.pdf https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/Documents/ Guidelines%20for%20Swimming%20Pools.pdf facility 2facility S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 15 ABC RECREATION FACILITIES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Leaders of Recreation Facility Operations The History of the RFABC Awards’ Program By Vince Kreiser

Since 1952 the Association has hosted an annual Bill Woycik Outstanding Facility Award later moved through to being named Manager of that spouses were able to make some very good friends over the convention/conference and this event has been held in all facility. When Empire Stadium was built for the 1954 years and had an enjoyable time in the various communities areas of the province (along with one in Seattle, Washington W.E. “Bill” Woycik was the eighth British Empire and Commonwealth Games Dave was which hosted the annual event. and two in Alberta-Edmonton and Jasper). Starting in 1957 at President (1962-1963) and a long named the Stadium Manager. Throughout his career at the these functions (when the Association was originally known as serving Secretary-Treasurer (1969- PNE Dave continued to take on more responsibilities Harry sadly passed away in 1987. the BC Arena, Auditorium & Stadium Association) the RFABC 1976) of the Association when it was culminating in him being named General Manager of the has been able to recognize excellence in the field through its originally known as the BC Arena, overall organization. Dave also became a mentor and The conditions of the award were: awards' program. Many outstanding individuals, groups, Auditorium & Stadium Association. friend for a long time Honourary Past President of the provincial zones and facilities have been honoured over the Association, John Bate. As an interesting side note, John Willingness to assist their fellow spouses throughout the years. Bill served his community as the and his wife Marilyn named their son David in honour of Association. Dedication and involvement within the Zone. For Manager of the Prince George Coliseum. Dave Dauphinee. service to the overall growth of the Association. For an This article will showcase the various awards, some of the He later became the Civic Properties Manager, Manager of outstanding new member for their dedication and achievement winners and provide some background information on the the Civic Properties and Recreation Commission and his Dave sadly passed away in 1979. to the spouses' program. Names for the Harry Atkinson people that many of these awards are named after. last official title up to 1987 while working for the City was Memorial Trophy may be submitted by members or spouses Director of Civic Properties and Recreation. The conditions of the award are: giving the reasons for selection. Bob Muir Memorial Trophy Bill sadly passed away in 1991. Willingness to assist their fellow members throughout the Currently the conditions of this award are: This memorial trophy was named in honour Association. Dedication and involvement within their Zone. of Robert John McNaughton “Bob” Muir. For his meritorious service to the Association Bill was For service to overall growth of the Association. For an The individual must be currently working full-time for a awarded an Award of Merit by the Association in 1991. outstanding new member of the Association for their minimum of one calendar year, in a maintenance capacity Bob was a hockey player, husband, father, This award was presented posthumously to his wife dedication and achievement in their community or facility. within a public or private recreation facility (e.g. pool, arena, hardware merchant and a very civic minded Florence and two daughters Sherri-Lee and Shirlee-Ann. Names for the Dave Dauphinee Memorial Trophy may be fitness centre, community theatre). The nominee must be individual in his community of Powell River. submitted by members or by Zones giving the reasons for currently employed in front line or career entry level positions In addition to his many other The memorial award in Bill's name was established to this selection. and excludes supervisory or management staff. Nominated accomplishments and responsibilities he honour him and is awarded to one outstanding new or individuals are not required to be RFABC members. Staff took on the major role of being Chairman for improved facility in the province each year. Harry Atkinson Memorial Trophy members of current RFABC Board members are not eligible for the building of the new Powell River (Willingdon) Arena. This nominations by a Board member. facility opened in 1955. That same year he was honoured with The conditions of the award are: From 1989-2008 this memorial trophy in the title of “Good Citizen” for his dedicated service to the honor of the seventh President (1961- Gerry Morgan Memorial Trophy community. Tragically Bob Muir and all of the other people on It must be a recreation, sport or leisure facility. It must be a 1962) of the Association was presented board were killed in the 1956 crash of Trans-Canada Air Lines relatively new or newly renovated facility. It must meet a to a spouse of a member. This award is named in honour of Gerry Flight 810 into Mount Slesse near Chilliwack. demonstrated (and greatest) community need. It should Morgan who was a long serving Association's demonstrate innovations in design, energy management, Harry was the Manager of the Kerrisdale Secretary-Treasurer (1982-1986 and 1991- To honour his memory the Association decided to create this operations, revenue generation, services, etc. The facility Arena in the City of Vancouver. He 1993) and President (1989-1990). trophy in Bob's name. The original conditions of the award or community must have a member of good standing worked hard with the other members of were: President's Award to the “Manager of the Year” for his within the RFABC. The facility should demonstrate his facility staff to ensure a high standard Jim Weicker a Past President of the RFABC outstanding contribution to the BC Arena, Auditorium & efficiencies in operation, energy conservation and of operation was being provided for the users. This was able to confirm that Gerry was the Stadium Association. It was presented by Bob Muir's widow preventative maintenance. dedication to their work was reflected in the nice reviews Superintendent, Parks & Recreation Dept. Alice Muir to the first winner in 1957. contained in some written documents from the 1960's time for the Village of Gold River. The local ice Dave Dauphinee Memorial Trophy period. Harry in his role as Association President also arena/curling rink/community hall complex is now called the Currently the conditions of this award are: worked on the major provincial issue of the payment of Gerry Morgan Memorial Centre. This trophy was named in honour of music royalties and one that continues to be part of the This award is presented to the member of the Association who Dave Dauphinee who was the first recreation facilities' field today. Another Past President of the Association Mike Creedon who in the opinion of the President has made an outstanding President of the Association when it was knew Gerry very well indicated that he was very dedicated to contribution to the Association during the year. Over the years originally known as the BC Arena, Harry was one of the organizers for the spouses' program his work on behalf of the RFABC. In his role as Secretary- many distinguished members have been recognized for their Auditorium & Stadium Association at the Association's annual conferences for a period of time. Treasurer Gerry ensured that the Association's financial outstanding efforts on behalf of the Association. (1950-1951). Marilyn Bate who has won this award in the past matters were kept in very good order. Gerry also acted as the appreciated the work that Harry did for this program. At historian for the RFABC and could at almost anytime provide Multi time winners of this award have included: Jack Morgan* Dave started out in the recreation the time the spouses' program was designed for the wives accurate information about an issue off of the top of his head. If (3), John Bate (2) Bill Young* (2), Dave Susak* (2), Vince facilities' field as an Engineer at the and girl friends of the members, Associates’ and Recreation not he would consult his well constructed and very detailed Kreiser (2), Ryan Mulligan (3) and Ray Boogaards (2) (* Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) Forum in Vancouver and Commissioners. Marilyn along with the other participating denotes deceased). continued on next page... facility 16 S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 2facility S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 17 The History of the RFABC Awards’ Program . . . records that he maintained back in his office and get back to concession and lounge areas during major special events like the person needing the required information. curling bonspiels.

Gerry sadly passed away in 1999. Joe sadly passed away in 1981.

The conditions of the award are: The bursary was started in 1981 for students in the Recreation Facilities Management Program at the British The contribution of an individual, non-member, community Columbia Institute of Technology in Burnaby, BC and or organization outside of the membership of the Recreation subsequently transferred to Vancouver Community College Facilities Association of BC. The willingness to assist when the program was moved there in 1986. It is currently throughout the Association. Service to the overall growth of presented annually to a student enrolled in the Recreation the Association. Assist the Board to increase valued Leadership Diploma Program at Langara College in partnerships. Dedication and involvement with the Vancouver, BC. Association. Names for the Gerry Morgan Memorial Trophy may be submitted by members or by Zones giving the The conditions of the award are: reasons for selection. The full-time graduating student enrolled in the fourth term Aubrey Associates' Award of the program must have demonstrated to the Department faculty members a talent for and an interest in recreation This award was created in 2016 by Ron facilities’ operation, as well as a genuine interest in pursuing Aubrey a Past President (2002-2003) and a career in the field. The student must also demonstrate a long serving Education Chairman of the attributes of a diligent self-starter who works hard to Association. At the time of his retirement accomplish goals that benefit others. in 2002 Ron was the Sports Centre Manager for the Municipality of Esquimalt. The award is a cash bursary of $500.00. In addition, the He has been teaching Pool Operator student will receive an honorarium of up to $250.00 for Courses for over 40 years. travel expenses to assist in attending the annual RFABC Conference. The student must attend the conference in order The conditions of the award are: to receive the honorarium and receipts for their travel expenses must be presented to the RFABC Executive Director For their outstanding contribution to the Association by an prior to a reimbursement being made. The conference host Associate Member during the year. The sponsor of the award community will provide accommodation and meals (billets) in consultation with the Executive Director will select the for the student during the conference. recipient. RFABC Associates' Scholarship Joe Dukowski Memorial Bursary RFABC Associate Members (companies and individuals that This memorial bursary is named in honor provide products and services to the recreation industry) of the first Secretary-Treasurer (1950-51) added a second scholarship starting in 1991 to help support and also the longest serving President of a deserving student each year. the Association. He served as the second President (1951-1957) and then again as This award is presented to a student enrolled in the the fourteenth President (1968-1969) of Recreation Leadership Diploma Program at Langara College the Association. in Vancouver B.C.

Joe served as the Manager of the Victoria Some early Associates' Members who advocated for the Memorial Arena for a period of time and then later served as establishment of this scholarship included: Doug Churchill, the Manager of the Sports Centre in Coquitlam. Dave Gillette and Dave Warner. Later on Perry Coleman and Norm Smith worked hard to cultivate the Associates' Denis Leclerc is a Past President of the Association who continued sponsorship of this scholarship and also to boost worked as a younger guy for Joe in Coquitlam. Denis the current dollar amount to be given out. described him in positive terms as an “old school” and hands on manager. He worked very well with the staff while being continued on next page... firm and fair in his dealings with them. In addition, he was willing to jump in and help out when things got busy in the facility 18 S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 2facility The History of the RFABC Awards’ Program . . .

From 1991-2008 the conditions of the award were: whereby when the new President starts their term of office the first duty is to present the immediate Past President with It was awarded to a second-year full-time student with the their Past President's Medallion and dark blue cloth collar. top G.P.A. in the first term of the program. There is a real pride expressed in this transition of Currently the conditions of the award are: responsibility. Being a member of the Past Presidents' group has also been an enjoyable experience for many people as It is presented to the second-year full-time student as chosen they continue to stay connected with each other and the by the Instructor who showed strong leadership and a high recreation industry in the ensuing years. level of interest and aptitude in the RECR 1162 course during their first term of study. The recipient must also demonstrate Award of Merit a willingness to help their fellow classmates during the Outdoor Field School component of the course. The award is This award was first presented in 1968. a cash bursary of $500.00. The conditions of the award are: Past President's Award This award is presented to any person within the Association This is a plate that is presented annually to the most effective for meritorious service to the Association. Names for the Zone within the RFABC. Award of Merit may be submitted by members or by Zones giving the reasons for selection. The conditions of the award are: The Association has presented the Award to Merit to: John Percentage of attendance at Zone meetings. Number and Bate, Ken Kelbough, Vince Kreiser, Denis Leclerc, Mayor and content of Zone meetings. Contributions to the magazine by Council-Village of Gold River, Ryan Mulligan, Chris Nelson, Zone. Attendance at the conference by Zone members. Mike Reed, Jim Weicker, John MacKenzie*, Gerry Morgan*, Workshops/seminars conducted by the Zone. Reg Stone* and W.E. “Bill” Woycik* (* denotes deceased).

Past Presidents' Medallions Life Membership

The RFABC has presented its honour of a “Life Membership” to a number of deserving members over the years. It is for an outstanding contribution to the Association and following their retirement from active employment in the industry.

Life Memberships to the Association have been awarded to: Ron Aubrey, John Bate, Dick Irving, Ken Kelbough, Vince Kreiser, Denis Leclerc, Stan Shigehiro, Jim Weicker, John Atkinson*, Len Bjola*, Andy Desjardins*, Bus Evans*, Ron Gardler*, Joe Iannarelli Sr.*, John MacKenzie*, Fred Madden*, Gerry Morgan*, Gordon Smith*, Reg Stone*, and Bill Young* (*denotes deceased).

If you are a younger member of the Association and have For a full listing of all of the award winners and more attended some of the annual conferences you may have seen information on the history of the Association please visit: some older gentlemen wearing a medallion around their www.rfabc.com necks. This is a long-standing tradition in the RFABC facility 2facility S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 19

RFABC Award Winners For 2020

Bob Muir Memorial Trophy Award Winner – Marilyn Bate This award is presented to the member of the Association (Long time supporter of the who has made an outstanding contribution to the Association, and spouse of Honourary Association during the year. The applicants have Past President, John Bate) demonstrated dedication to the Association through assisting with growth, and partnerships. Marilyn Bate first became involved with the Association in 1966. Her Award Winner- Ian Welle husband John Bate is a Honourary This year's recipient is an energetic Past President and long-time Life and environmentally focused Member of the RFABC and at the time mechanical engineer who is dedicated was the Assistant Manager of the to the design and development in Victoria Memorial Arena. They attended their first various aspects of engineering. This conference together in 1966 in North Kamloops, BC. includes refrigeration systems, energy analysis, HVAC, project management, Marilyn has been a long-time supporter of the Spouses’ manufacturing and bio-medical/robot Program at the various conferences that she has attended design. His background in over the years. She shared that she was “taken under the thermodynamics lends to his focus wing” of the older generation of the spouses and she never towards low global warming potential industrial forgot that welcome. In later years she repaid this kindness refrigeration systems and this experience has allowed him to to the newer members' spouses. For services like this she become the lead engineer responsible for the CO2 cooling was awarded the Harry Atkinson Memorial Trophy in 1994. systems for the two largest telescopes being built in Hawaii and Chile. He is excited to continue pushing the envelope by In addition to her work with the Association Marilyn has designing high temperature energy efficient hot water been a strong supporter of her community. This was reflected systems which drastically reduce the fossil fuel consumed in in the induction of both she and John into the Greater a facility, while keeping capital costs down. Victoria Sports Hall of Fame (GVSHOF) in 2016 as sponsored by the RFABC. He has been involved in assisting us with the development of workshops, conferences and seminars and was involved in Some of Marilyn's accomplishments as listed on the GVSHOF our preconference session this year. While he has been website include: diligently providing this experience and technical expertise, he has also remained true to his beliefs of giving back to the • Treasurer, Hillside Park National Little League Baseball people and their communities. His work as a volunteer for homeless food programs and working to provide new • Secretary and Chairman, Vancouver Island Little League buildings and water supply systems for orphanages are Baseball Association examples that are very admirable and appreciated by many. Many of these principles outlined previously align with our • Public Relations Officer, Skate Canada and the Canadian strategic objectives for the RFABC. We are proud to have him Figure Skating Championships involved with our association and the value he brings to our members. • School District 61 parent representative and District Chair of the Adhoc Committee Gerry Morgan Memorial Trophy This award honors Gerry Morgan (a Past President, a • 1994 – R.F.A.B.C. Harry Atkinson Award Secretary Treasurer, and former Award of Merit recipient) for his contribution to the Association. The • Registrar, 22 years for the GVSHOF “Dobber Classic” Golf contribution of an individual, non-member, tournament community, or organization outside the membership of the Recreation Facilities Association of British Columbia. • 2016 - Honorary Life Member of the GVSHOF

continued on next page... facility 2facility S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 21 RFABC Award Winners For 2020 . . .

Harry Atkinson Memorial Trophy contribution to the community over the years. Spending This trophy honors, Harry Atkinson, the seventh RFABC countless hours at home Tristan developed an instructional President. This award recognizes a staff member currently video for Ammonia release, incorporating the ONE PLAN to employed in front line or career entry level positions in a help staff better train and understand their role in an maintenance capacity within a public or private recreation emergency. That video is circulating the province with his facility (e.g. pool, arena, fitness center, community theater). wish it can help others plan and train. Tristan is now working for the RFABC to develop a video for Chlorine safety. Award Winner - Tristan Webb – Tristan is helping WSPR and RFABC to embrace online video West Shore Parks and Recreation, content as a tool for training and development. As we move Island Zone forward the future will be molded by the new generation of Tristan has served over 10 years as a Tristans coming up, and we should recognize and support facility maintenance worker for West those efforts. Shore Parks and Recreation. Through his work at west shore he has moved Dave Dauphinee Memorial Trophy up the ranks quickly, happily This trophy honors Dave Dauphinee, the first President of the embracing more responsibility with Association. The award recognizes an outstanding member each step. Serving the community has of the Association for their dedication and achievement in led Tristan to spear head the reorganization of WSPR the community of their facility. willingness to assist their preventative maintenance program, manage large building fellow members throughout the Association, service to the closures and build moral within the organization. Through Association, dedication to their zone. his efforts, he has used his passion for cinematography to create videos to celebrate and recognize WSPR and staff's continued on next page...

facility 22 S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 2facility RFABC Award Winners For 2020 . . . Joint nomination - Gary Paterson the management and staff have worked very hard to from Nanaimo and Cyndi Lathrop maintain and upgrade this arena over the years to provide a from Surrey first-class facility for the citizens of New Westminster to use Gary and Cyndi jointly expressed a and enjoy. sectoral need to find a home for the arena programmers in BC. Through their collective efforts, they organized an initial group of interested arena programmers from the Island and the Lower Mainland at a Zone Meeting in Delta, BC. The interest and participation was significant, and through their ongoing dedication and drive, has since resulted in regular programmers meetings, as well as a programmers stream at the annual conference, and a corresponding increase in memberships from arena programmers. This newly formalized segment of the RFABC has now been acknowledged with a position on the Board of Directors, which Gary is currently filling. The arena programmers across the province have been incredibly happy to have this opportunity to connect and share ideas and are thankful for the support of the association. None of this would have happened if it were not for Gary and Cyndi.

Past President Award The Past President Award is a trophy presented to the most effective zone based on established criteria for members’ engagement, quality, and frequency, of educational programming, newsletter contributions, conference attendance. In the lobby of the facility there is a very interesting history display of the overall Queen's Park and the role that the Lower Mainland Zone arena has played in the community over the years. While The Lower Mainland Zone lead by staying true to this long and rich history of the facility there Steve Napper, has seen the most have been many renovations that have taken place to keep it significant membership increase over in excellent condition and up to current industry standards. the last year, as well as having hosted the most well attended zone meetings, Some of these have included major revocations to the a significant number of courses, and dressing room areas, LED lighting installed in the ice and high representation at last year's bleacher areas, being granted a Risk Assessed Status for their conference. ice plant as per the requirements of Technical Safety BC, the purchase and installation of a new multi-sport wooden floor Bill Woycik Outstanding Facility Award for dry floor use, installing a heat reclaim unit on their ice This memorial award honors W.E. “Bill” Woycik, a Past plant, turning underused space in their upper north President of the Association. This award is awarded to one lobby/concession area into new and more inviting meeting outstanding recreation, sport, or leisure facility in the and multipurpose areas, continuing to use electric powered province each year that is relatively new or newly renovated Zamboni ice resurfacers during their winter season, outside facility demonstrating efficiencies in operation, energy renovations including a new insulated metal roof and exit consumption and preventative maintenance. stair cases along with the installation of some electric vehicle charging stations in their back parking lot. Award Winner - Queen’s Park Arena, New Westminster Queen's Park Arena is in New Westminster, BC. It was built in This facility is a very deserving winner of the 2020 Bill 1930 and is owned and operated by the City of New Woycik Outstanding Facility Award and is poised to continue Westminster. With the support of the Mayor and City Council, to serve the community in which it is located for many more years into the future. facility 2facility S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 23 RFABC: InventoryModule FREE (Member Service)

"Asset Management is the backbone of proper infrastructure management. Every facility, whether public or private needs to know what they have and the condition of the assets in order to plan and schedule maintenance in order to preserve the life of the facility. The place to start is with the inventory so one knows what they have·. With this jn mind we are pleased to offer RFAM 1s inventory module, in combination with our partner:s Marmak, FREE to RFABC members.""

DWAYNE KAL YNCHUK- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - RFABC

ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA MARMAK Leaders of Recreation Facility Operations 2020 RFABC LIFE MEMBERSHIP Ron Aubrey

The RFABC has celebrated a long history of prevention. Award recipients were also invited to representing recreation facilities in the province a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by Her of BC and it goes without saying that members of Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Michael of our organization have spent decades contributing Kent to mark the anniversary. The event was also and participating in building our association from attended by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and the the ground up. We honour all those who support Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. us and continue to carry the legacy forward regardless of how small or great their contribution. Ron remains active with our association and currently serves the RFABC as the Education This gentleman has helped to recognize many Director. Annually we have a CADRE meeting people over the years. To him, recognition is both where our instructors gather to discuss the past an honour and a privilege and he is passionate of year and the direction for moving forward in the the recognition bestowed upon deserving coming year and at each meeting Ron continually contributors. Recognition for him takes many forms from high expresses his gratitude to those, he believes are the heart and praise at meetings, award nominations, gifts for presidents who soul of our association. have been a force for change and monetary compensation for groups or individuals. If the RFABC could not fund it then this To be recognized by your peers in an industry which we are gentleman donated the money himself. That is correct you heard proud of is one of the greatest achievements that acknowledges right; Ron Aubrey contributes out of his own pocket to ensure individuals for their contributions. Our associations' greatest people are valued. honor is to recognize individuals for their lifetime achievements and with that said we are honoured to select Ron Aubrey for the From a grass roots level of involvement Ron sets small RFABC's highest honour, a lifetime membership with the achievable goals that when they are combined over time have RFABC. supported and assisted the RFABC in moving forward. From delivery of pool ops to the hotel motel industry, Instructors which he hand-picked and trained, workshops to encourage membership, industry partnerships to stay current on technology and advocacy with government organizations to hammer home our legitimacy.

In 2018 the RFABC celebrated a 70 -year milestone, and while I am sure everyone appreciates that Ron was probably not involved as a founding father, he is the “tenured historian” who gives counsel to ensure we don't repeat the past. He is passionate about the future, never considered shy to voice opinions no matter how controversial or unpalatable. Ron's heart is in the right place, and he stays flexible in his approach. His vision has led us down a path of creating learning centers across the province to meet the need of our members, increase our profits and increase the skilled staff we have operating facilities around the province.

Ron started out as a lifeguard and has served in almost every position on the RFABC board and is the recipient of several awards provided by our Association. Recognition for Ron's achievements extend beyond our organization to the life saving society where he was awarded the H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent, 125th Anniversary Certificate of Merit to honour individuals who have given distinguished service to the Society. This award recognizes individuals whose voluntary contribution and achievements have significantly impacted upon the Society and its work, or have represented the Society in an exemplary way, in particular in the fields of sport, youth and drowning facility 2facility S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 25 2020 RFABC LIFE MEMBERSHIP Denis Leclerc

Denis Leclerc was the President of the RFABC Denis provided some excellent leadership for from 1991-1992. He also served on the the RFABC. During his time as President he Executive of the Association for a number of worked hard to establish better working years including a term as the Lower Mainland relationships with Curl B.C. and the Canadian Zone Chairman. Building Servicing Association. While working with these two groups and on a number of In the early to mid-1980's when the Provincial other projects he demonstrated a real passion Government through their “Boiler Branch” for the betterment of recreation facilities' started to require arena operators to have their operations in the Province of B.C. appropriate provincial refrigeration certifications Denis was a strong advocate of For many years Denis acted as one of the core this movement within the Association. He along Instructors for the RFABC Icemakers' Training with others reminded Association members Course. He had been involved in helping to about the importance of this initiative and the requirements create the course and to co-compile a detailed student for the safe operation of recreation facilities throughout the manual. The teaching of the course necessitated extensive province. travel throughout B.C. along with the Yukon and North West Territories. He also conducted seminars during various In 1989 Denis along with the late John Atkinson and the late Athletic Business Conferences held in Orlando, Florida, Eric Dickinson were the Ice Crew Supervisors for an event Atlanta, Georgia and San Antonio, Texas. Many, many Langara called Winterfest held at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver. College recreation students also remember Denis as the This event involved installing ice at the stadium and Instructor and Head Judge for their annual Custodial Lecture providing a large skating pond for the public winter festival. and Competition held during their diploma program Some major obstacles were overcome during the event under maintenance/operations' course. the leadership of these three gentlemen and the hard work of a number of Association members. Denis is now retired from the field of recreation and lives in Maple Ridge with his wife Nhorin. He has stayed connected Denis won the R.J. Muir Memorial Trophy in 1989 for his with the RFABC and has helped to re-establish the tradition outstanding service to the Association. of presenting Past Presidents' Medallions and accompanying collars at the annual conferences held recently in Parksville On behalf of the RFABC in 1990 Denis acted the Project and Kelowna. He was instrumental in working with Nhorin Coordinator for the creation of a Sports field Maintenance who had been responsible for the production of the cloth and Standards Manual which was completed in partnership collars in the past and agreed to make a number of new ones with the Provincial Government and the B.C. Recreation and for use in future years. Parks Association. He also co-authored a manual entitled: Custodial and Preventative Maintenance For Recreation These days he keeps himself busy with music and Facilities in 1991 which was distributed widely in the storytelling about the lore and legends of French Canada. recreation field. When asked what his best memories of the RFABC were, Denis received an Award of Merit from the Association in Denis indicated that it was the relationships and unity of 1991. purpose with fellow sport and recreation facility personnel that he enjoyed the most.

SAVE 2021 RFABC Conference THE Penticton Lakeside Resortfiller? and Conference Centre, Penticton BC DATE April 26-28, 2021

facility 26 S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 2facility A School, An Arena and A Converted Zamboni With A Logging Truck Wrap By Colleen O'Shea, President, Greener Arena Solutions Inc.

A powerpoint Next door to the arena, typical of many arenas in Canada, is a landed in my inbox high school. School District 85 was looking for ways to reduce its this week about an costs. SD 85 applied for, and received, a $150,000 grant for arena's path to district heating from the province's Carbon Neutral Capital efficiency. Program1. In a partnership between SD 85 and the municipality Replacing their old (the Regional District of Mount Waddington), the district heating ice resurfacing project was realized. machine with the wrapped Zamboni you see above was one of the elements. But scratch below the skin, you'll find a clever orchestra of innovations, grant applications, marketing concepts and community spirit that came together to make it happen, save money, lower greenhouse gas emissions — and stop wasting waste heat, too. From this…

In this Google Maps aerial view of Port McNeill, you can see the Chilton Arena (in green) and the North Island Secondary School (in white).

The district heating loop designed by Accent Refrigeration lets the arena sell waste heat from their refrigeration plant to the To a wrapped electric 446. North Island Secondary School just 200 metres away. That means significantly lower electric heat costs for the School The wrap on the Chilton Regional Arena's ice resurfacing District between the months of September and April — when machine reflects Port McNeill's logging industry. the ice is usually in.

The Chilton Regional Arena in Port McNeill, BC is located at the Trenches dug to deliver North East corner of Vancouver Island. The town of 2,000 has waste heat from the arena been a basecamp for logging for close to 90 years, and logging to the school still employs about a quarter of the folks in the town. The arena was constructed in 1976 with financial and volunteer assistance The district heating project from its citizens as well as lumber company Western Forest benefitted the arena in other Products and the Port McNeill Lions Club. By wrapping the ways, too. Waste heat was now arena's new Zamboni 446 as a logging truck, the arena was able keeping the locker rooms and to pay homage to the logging industry — and the folks who public areas warm. In addition, helped to build the NHL-sized arena 40 years before. But I'm their existing dehumidifier was putting the cart before the horse, so to speak. decommissioned — replaced by heat pumps. That reduces the The Zamboni may never have happened if the arena hadn't facility's energy cost for become a profit centre. propane by $35K/year and lowers the arena's greenhouse PROFIT CENTRE gas emissions significantly. Funding is always critical for a new ice resurfacing machine and arena reserves are seldom rich enough to foot the entire bill. Next came the Zamboni project. Luckily, in 2015, the arena became a profit centre — for more than just ice time. continued on next page... facility facility2facility F A L L I S S U E 2 0 1 8 • R F A B C 29 2facility S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 27 A School, An Arena and A Converted Zamboni With A Logging Truck Wrap ...

THE ZAMBONI PROJECT “The solar array can charge the Zamboni. However as it's being By the end of 2016, the arena board had two years of the district run in the winter with limited sun, we offset the costs to operate heating project under their belts and saw how it was making the and maintain the unit with the revenues generated from the arena more efficient, and earning money, too. They'd already solar array,” Little added. saved $70,000 in propane by using heat pumps instead of the dehumidifier, and they had revenues from the district heating THE FINAL TOUCH: THE ZAMBONI WRAP TO ATTRACT loop of $21,600 by selling heat to the school. SPONSORS AND PAY HOMAGE The wrap was important, too. When considering a new ice resurfacing machine, they decided to turn their backs on fossil fuel-power in favour of electric, Wrapping the Zamboni to make it look like a logging truck cost which aligns with their mission statement. Their choice was $10,000 – but it was another key element in the arena board's between the Zamboni 650 Electric and the Zamboni 446 – vision to attracting industry donors to help realize the project. similar cutting widths, but the 446 has a smaller snow tank. Smaller community groups and businesses ponied up $25K; the Truth told, the 446 was exactly what they needed in terms of Lamare Group contributed $5,500 and both Western Forest capacity, height and capabilities, and it about $90K less than the Products and TimberWest Forest Ltd. contributed $5K. ticket price of the 650E. Community donations totalled $40,000 – and a grant from BC Energy and Mines contributed another $30K. The problem was the Zamboni 446 wasn't an electric machine. If the arena would buy it, they would need to convert it. And Image courtesy of Design converting their Zamboni from propane to electric is exactly Nanaimo. To what they did. see how the wrap was CONVERTING THE ZAM FROM PROPANE TO ELECTRIC accomplished, According to arena manager Gerry Little, they bought the brand click here. new 446 and gutted it. At the end, the “We bought a new 446 propane unit and removed the engine entire Zamboni and converted,” said Gerry Little, Arena Manager, Chilton project, including Regional Arena. the machine itself, the conversion, solar panels, wrap and incidentals, cost Now armed with lithium ion batteries, their converted 446 is the arena $182,000. capable of doing six ice makes without recharging and takes just 20 minutes when it needs a recharge. Cost of the conversion: The efficiencies don't stop there, either. Little tells me that last $32K. week, VFDs were installed on their two compressors, and he's seeing consumption reductions already (they started putting Their old propane machine had cost $3,300/year — or $3.00 their ice in on Thursday). He intends to write a case study — in a per flood, and another $2,500 per year to run – including costs couple of months, he'll share it with us. I can't wait to see it. of air quality monitoring, engine servicing and vehicle Little is excited at what they've achieved. maintenance. Their converted Zamboni 446 eliminates those costs altogether, at a flood cost of just 25¢ each. “We are now carbon neutral and solely rely on electric,” he says. “That includes everything from flooding our ice to mowing the The ice resurfacing machine was just one element of the project. grass. We went from 80t GHG to zero in 8 years.” Getting it charged was another. A 9 kW solar array using 27×310 watt panels was installed to supply solar power to the electric I know, it's a long story, as most arena stories are. It takes time resurfacer, and generate income by selling electricity back to the and, often, creative thinking to make an arena more energy grid. However, before the solar array was put in place, the efficient — and one size doesn't always fit all. Well done to arena's roof was replaced, at a cost of $150,000. The cost of the everyone involved. And keep up the great work. solar array was $32,000. >> I ALSO WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE PROVINCE The 9 kW solar array at the OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, A LEADER IN SUSTAINABILITY IN Chilton Regional Arena – CANADA. APPROXIMATELY 30% OF ALL CANADIAN LEED- on top of the new, $150K roof. DESIGNATED GOLD AND PLATINUM BUILDING PROJECTS ARE According to Little, the solar LOCATED IN THAT PROVINCE. GREAT JOB, BC! array is another revenue generator. facility 28 S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 2facility Do More with Less: The Link Between Cleaning Efficiency and Facility Safety By Tim Ambler, Swish Cleaning

As the country works Use a power sweeper through its phased re- to clean outdoors opening following the Both push and battery COVID-19 outbreak, most operated power public facilities in B.C. are sweepers are up to still closed or have limited 100% more efficient programing. As I write this compared to manual in early July, chances are cleaning techniques. you are still planning and They're easy to use and preparing for an enhanced great at removing cleaning and disinfecting outdoor dirt. program. During these times when the cleanliness 2. Automate manual of your facility will be processes intensely scrutinized, you Are you still using need to present a clean, string mops and single sanitized environment cavity mop buckets to while also demonstrating an ongoing commitment to clean your floors? Not only do these tools require cleanliness. Today it's not enough to be clean – you also need significant manual effort, they're less effective than other to showcase your efforts to give your patrons peace of mind. options. With single cavity mop buckets, for instance, the cleaning solution quickly becomes soiled as soon as you Given labour is likely one of your biggest operating expenses, dip the mop back in the bucket, so you end up mopping how will you deliver a safe facility without driving up your your floor with dirty water. costs? You need to do more, with the same or even less. The best, most efficient option is to replace your Efficiency Is The Answer traditional manual mopping methods with autoscrubbing. Being efficient in your cleaning practices enables you to Using an autoscrubber instead of a mop can increase deliver a cleaner space, reduce health and safety risks and cleaning productivity by 150! free up time for additional tasks created by the pandemic response. Here are five tips to improve cleaning efficiency in If you're not in a position to make an investment into an your facility. autoscrubber at the moment, consider using efficient equipment such as a microfibre flat mopping system. 1. Keep Dirt From Entering Your Facility In the First These highly effective systems deliver excellent results Place while using less water, chemicals, and labour. For wet One of the best ways to keep your facility clean is to keep mopping, using a double-cavity bucket will result in a the dirt outdoors – where it belongs. Studies show that cleaner floor in less time. 94% of soil in a facility comes in with foot traffic from outside. To keep dirt from coming in, consider these tips: 3. Make Sure Your Equipment is Right-Sized For Your Facility Install entrance matting If your facility is like most recreational centres, you're Just 15 linear feet of entrance matting – placed inside and likely dealing with a big space. Is your equipment the outside your doors – will prevent up to 80% of dirt and appropriate size? For example, 20” walk-behind soil from tracking into your facility. It's one of the most autoscrubbers are some of our most popular products, effective ways to keep your floors clean. Be sure to but they are best suited to mid-sized environments. routinely vacuum your mats to maintain their Larger head sizes in traditional walk-behind units can effectiveness. cover more ground in less time, while ride-on equipment delivers maximum productivity. Meanwhile, innovative, continued on next page... facility facility2facility F A L L I S S U E 2 0 1 8 • R F A B C 29 2facility S U M M E R I S S U E 2 0 2 0 • R F A B C 29 Do More with Less: The Link Between Cleaning Efficiency and Facility Safety . . .

stand on equipment like the product to stay on a surface before Tennant T350 can bring near ride- it should be wiped off) can reduce on productivity in a compact and overall labour ouput. Plus, maneuverable package. The products that come in easy-to- Tennant T350 in 24” can deliver apply packaging can cut down on three times the productivity of its time and energy. smaller T300 20” cousin, while still fitting through a standard Ready-to-use products are also doorway. extremely convenient, but you can even choose to use concentrates There are many options available, without the hassle of manual so it's a matter of finding the right dilution by using a dispenser fit for your facility to maximize alongside a colour-coded system your productivity. such as the Enviro-Solutions' ES72/364 program. As added 4. Choose Products That Require benefits, concentrated products Less Work can reduce your costs as well as the negative Not all products are created equal. By selecting high- environmental impacts of packaging. quality products that involve less rinsing or create less build-up, you can significantly improve productivity by 5. Watch Out For Efficiency Traps both reducing labour and water waste. Also, products that While the big jobs take up a significant amount of time – require less dwell time (i.e. the time it takes for the mopping floors, cleaning windows, sanitizing bathrooms – the little tasks can quickly add up. And it can be easy to lose sight of how long they all take.

For example, when it comes to filling your soap dispensers, cartridge systems are faster to change and more hygienic versus a bulk fill dispenser (and you can eliminate the goopy soap that inevitably puddles on the counter below).

Paper towel systems such as PeakServe can allow you to top up dispensers on your schedule, instead of having to stop other tasks and refill when the roll runs out. And a well-stocked, good quality janitorial cart can save time during daily tasks. It's worth the investment to help you and your cleaning staff stay efficient and organized.

When your facility re-opens, you'll need to put your best foot forward. First impressions will be critical for return visits and a clientele that feels comfortable walking through your doors. A top-notch cleaning standard will therefore be imperative – to maintain that standard, you'll need highly efficient processes that leave little room for error or oversight.

While implementing new processes may come with some initial investment – such as matting solutions, quality products and right-sized equipment – the investment will pay off with increased efficiency, reduced labour costs, and a clean and safe facility that everyone can enjoy.

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