If you have any questions, perhaps on salt water pools, staff scheduling, waterslide maintenance, walking paths, or electric ice resurfacers, just ask. Send us an e-mail to info@rfabc.com and we will do our best to get the answers you need.

What are the benefits of RFABC individual membership?
There are many benefits to becoming a member of the RFABC:

• Education Courses - Our courses are jam packed with up-to-date content that is relevant and pertinent to our members and their staff which allows them to do their job more effectively and efficiently.
• Facility to Facility magazine - This magazine is published four times a year and contains excellent articles and tips that are pertinent to our industry. Well written articles dealing with equipment and facility maintenance as well as updated procedures can be found here. Education opportunities and course schedule information can also be found here. As well, advertisers are associate members who provide goods and services to the industry. This can save you lots of time when trying to find a business that offer various goods and services needed to operate your facility efficiently.
• Access to technical information - There are many talented and educated people in our industry who are more than willing to share their know-how and timesaving tips. Many of the problems and difficulties you may experience and encounter in your facility have occurred elsewhere - being able to communicate with other association members can provide you with excellent solutions and tips based on their own experiences.
• Our association makes many important recommendations and works on a national level with the Canadian Recreation Facilities Council that helps to enhance recreation and parks services across Canada.
• Our annual conferences bring goods and services providers and our members together to demonstrate the latest technologies, equipment, and training resources. As well, it's a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and renew old acquaintances in a very relaxed atmosphere. The conference also offers informative seminars on topics that are relevant to the recreation industry. It is usually capped off with the opportunity to participate in round table discussions with other facility operators.
• Our website contains education courses offered throughout the year. You'll even be able to enroll for courses online. For the latest news about the recreation industry, visit the site on a regular basis. Better yet - consider joining our email list - you'll get all the latest news as soon as it's available right on your computer! Looking for employment - employment opportunities are also posted on our website. A list of our associates and the goods and services they provide can also be found here. A very popular feature of our site is the Bull pen - it allows our members to network with fellow operators to share information. Zone meeting schedules are also available here.
• The opportunity to participate in the soon to be announced Western Certification program along with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This is an initiative of the Canadian Recreation Facilities Council that encourages provinces to recognize the credentials of practioners in other provinces.

What are the benefits of RFABC Associate membership?
The benefits of being an associate member are:

• Visibility: listed in the quarterly Facility to Facility newsletter advertising options available. Your company contact information is display on our website www.rfabc.com.
• Pertinent information: associates receive a copy of the newsletter to keep abreast of RFABC activities and events.
• Participation: in regional and annual conferences.
• New Product Awareness: associates can present new products at zone meetings - contact the zone director in your area.

*must be a full-time student

To join the RFABC, simply fill out the Membership Form and return it to:

Recreation Facility Association of British Columbia
Box 320 110-174 Wilson Street
Victoria, BC V9A 7N7

Please take the time to complete the Facility Contact Information form and fax it to (604) 414-0068. Join us today!

How do I register for RFABC courses?
Simply visit www.rfabc.com and click on "Courses". Select the course and date(s) you are interested in and click "Register here". Fill out the course registration form indicating your method of payment as cheque (to be invoiced - please include purchase order number) or credit card. For credit card payments, RFABC staff will contact within two business days to complete the transaction. Once your registration form is completed, click on "Submit".

When are courses confirmed to proceed as scheduled?
Generally, courses are confirmed as soon as sufficient enrollments are received in order to cover course costs. No later than 2 weeks prior to the scheduled course start date for courses proceeding, RFABC staff will email all registered course participants indicating course location, daily start times and accommodation information. Don't be disappointed! Register early!

What RFABC courses would assist in gaining entry into the arena industry?
The RFABC offers three core arena industry courses: Arena Ice Maker, Ice Facility Operator and the 5th Class Power Engineering correspondence course in partnership with the Pacific Institute of Power Engineering. For those with limited experience, the Arena Ice Makers course provides a general introduction to ice arena installation and maintenance, ice resurfacer operation and basic refrigeration theory.

The Ice Facility Operator course prepares students to write the British Columbia Safety Authority examination required for all personnel working in an ice facility in the province.

Certification includes the completion of the 40 hour Ice Facility Operator course and exam, completion of the practicum book and passing the Safety Authority exam. The pre-requisite for the Provincial IFO Exam is IFO Course completion; 30 days work experience and 40 hours job training (i.e. Log Book).

For more experienced ice facility operators wishing to upgrade their qualifications, a 5th Class Power Engineering correspondence course is available through the RFABC and the Pacific Institute of Power Engineering from September through June. This six month home study course prepares students to write the Provincial Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Branch 5th Class Trade Qualification examination.

Register for all courses online!

What RFABC pool operator courses are recognized by municipal government employers?
The RFABC Swimming Pool Operator Level I is widely recognized by municipal government employers as an entry level standard meeting the requirement of the Provincial Health Act pertaining to swimming pool operation and maintenance.