|
It’s Awards Season! 💙
Know someone doing exceptional work in your facility or team?
Now is the time to recognize them!m.
This year we’ve added two new categories for communities under 20,000 in both the Outstanding Facility and Climate Action Awards.
Nominations are open until Feb 23, 2026.
🌟 And there’s more!
Every nomination you submit puts your name in a draw for a
$100 Visa gift card.
Nominate multiple people?
That’s multiple chances to win!
| |
❄️ The Winter Issue of F2F is Here! ❄️
| | |
Your winter operations guide: expert tips, real examples, and smarter strategies for every facility.
Cover Story:
Lake Windermere Whiteway – An interview with the Maintenance Operator showcases the operations, challenges, and community spirit behind maintaining Lake Windermere’s record-setting skating trail.
Parks & Sport Fields:
Ball Diamond Maintenance – RFABC Instructor, Larry Golby, gives us an overview of best practices for maintaining safe, high-quality ball diamonds throughout the year.
Programs & Services:
WinterQuest: Bringing Winter to Life in Mackenzie – Emily Walker spotlights the teamwork and behind-the-scenes operations that make Mackenzie’s WinterQuest come alive.
Facility Leadership:
Healthy Boundaries for Recreation Leaders – Jeff Couillard from The Ally Co. takes a fresh look at boundaries—not as walls, but as clear agreements—paired with practical tools to help leaders build stronger, healthier teams.
Facility Operations:
How Recreation Facilities Play a Role in Cold Weather Response – Christy Wood highlights how Nanaimo uses recreation facilities in extreme cold weather response—and the operational lessons other communities can apply.
Arena Operations:
Sharper Ice, Smarter Operations – Reid Hart from Athletica Sport Systems outlines how arena operators can balance safety, efficiency, and sustainability through smart maintenance and strategic investments.
Pool Operations:
Something's in the air: Controlling chemical exposure in pools – WorkSafe Magazine breaks down how pool operators can better control chemical exposure and improve air quality.
| |
🗳️ Get Ready — RFABC Election Season Is Coming!
| | |
Are you passionate about recreation facilities and ready to help shape the future of our Association?
The next RFABC Board election is just around the corner!
We’re kicking things off with the opening of nominations! Check out the Board of Directors Handbook, now available with everything you need to know about joining the RFABC Board—roles, expectations, time commitments, and what it really means to lead.
Nominations run from December 1, 2025 - February 16, 2026
| |
Have questions?
Reach out to any Board Member listed in the handbook—we’d love to connect.
This is your chance to get involved, contribute your expertise,
and help drive the future of recreation across British Columbia.
| | | |
2026 RFABC Conference & Trade Show
RFABC is transitioning to a new membership and event management system that will make conference & trade show registration smoother for everyone.
Our team is hard at work behind the scenes getting everything ready for 2026 registration.
Thank you for your patience and support as we make these improvements. Be sure to check our website for updates and registration date announcements!
| |
Upcoming Zone Meetings
The Vancouver Island and Mainland Zones are joining forces this December for a special holiday luncheon and combined meeting at the BC Aviation Museum in Victoria!✈️ Enjoy great food, festive spirit, and the chance to connect with recreation professionals from both regions.
|
|
| |
Vancouver Island
& Lower Mainland Meeting
● Dec. 4, 2025: In-Person @ Victoria
Island Zone Rep, Heath Mahoney: RSVP
| | | |
Qualicum Beach councillors pave the way for town's purchase of golf course | Town councillors in Qualicum Beach, B.C., have voted to rezone the Eagle Crest Golf Course land - a step that was needed for them to decide on the purchase before Nov. 1. | | |
|
Victoria earmarked to receive federal funds for Royal Athletic Park upgrades in budget | The newly released federal budget includes a mention of money to be sent to the City of Victoria for its planned upgrades to Royal Athletic Park. | | |
|
Oceanfront swimming platform coming to North Vancouver in 2027 | The City of North Vancouver is set to build a floating swimming platform along its waterfront that will feature a salt water pool, swimming lanes and lounging areas by 2027. | | |
Vancouver Aquatic Centre to reopen following repairs | The Vancouver Aquatic Centre (VAC) is set to reopen Friday, after a piece of concrete from the ceiling fell into one of its swim lanes earlier this month and forced an unexpected closure. | | |
|
Upcoming staffing decisions critical to success of new Kamloops facilities | MAJOR STAFFING DECISIONS are forthcoming for the City of Kamloops. These decisions are critical to the success of new Kamloops facilities. | | |
|
Indoor tennis bubble proposed for Summerland | Tennis players from Summerland, Penticton, and across the South Okanagan could soon have the opportunity to play year-round in a new indoor tennis bubble near the Lakeshore Racquets Centre (LRC) | | |
|
Kelowna breaks ground for the redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre | The City of Kelowna announced the redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre (PRC) has reached another milestone. The existing PRC welcomes everyone of all ages and abilities and the redeveloped Parkinson Recreation Centre will do the same, designed to be an inclusive, welcoming space. | | | |
A prescription to the gym? That's what residents in this rural B.C. community get | Ian Walters received a prescription from his paramedical nurse this past summer, but instead of receiving a pill, he was given a pass to the Similkameen Recreation Centre in Keremeos, B.C., to use the gym and take part in programming. | | | | |
Castlegar rec complex plans extended 2026 shutdown | The Regional District of Central Kootenay says the arena floor will be closed from April 27 to Aug. 10, inclusive, although it will reopen from June 10-14 for graduation events. Ice making will begin Aug. 11. | | | | |
Reopening Trail pool cost $25,000 | Repairing the equipment that led to a prolonged closure of the pool at the Trail Aquatic and Leisure Centre this year cost the city about $25,000 in parts and labour. | | |
|
Quesnel and area residents to pay more for recreation | The cost of recreation is once again going up by 8 percent in the North Cariboo. | | |
|
"World Class" Plans for 99 Mile Recreation Area | The District of 100 Mile House has big plans for the 99 Mile Recreational area. Urban Systems Limited, a consulting firm out of Kamloops, has been awarded the 99 Mile Area Master Recreation Plan Project at last nights city council in 100 Mile. | | |
|
Northern B.C. city wins $6M fight against developer | The City of Terrace has won a legal battle after a developer sued to try and keep a $6.18-million construction deposit - despite failing to meet project deadlines. | | |
|
Fort St. John to replace aging Surerus Park pavilion with $1.9M upgrade | The city said the current pavilion was aging and had to be closed in the spring. | | | | |
We’re currently upgrading our membership management, event management, and learning management systems, and our team is working hard behind the scenes to get everything ready for 2026 course registration.
You’ll start to see 2026 course dates appearing on our website, but registration will not open until January 5, 2026.
In the meantime, keep an eye out as new dates are added—and mark your calendars to hop online January 5 to secure your spot.
Thanks for your patience as we navigate this transition!
|
| | | |
Pool Operator - ONLINE
All 2026 Course Dates for Level 1 and 2 are listed on our website and will be open for registration on Jan. 5th.
| |
You’re Invited: Celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3, 2025 – 12:00pm EST
After more than a year of development, Active Abilities Canada is inviting you to a special virtual event via Zoom on Wednesday, December 3 to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and officially launch the Municipal Guide for Disability Inclusion in Recreation and Physical Activity.
This webinar will showcase success stories from communities across Canada and share practical, how-to strategies for strengthening disability inclusion in your municipality, organization, or facility. It’s also a great opportunity to learn how to use the new Municipal Guide in your own work.
A valuable session for anyone looking to build more inclusive recreation spaces—hope you can join!
|
| |
WAVE: Waterfront Access, Vitality & Engagement
Swim Drink Fish is proud to launch the WAVE Prize, a new way for communities across British Columbia to reimagine their waterfronts as inclusive, vibrant public spaces.
The WAVE Prize seeks to provide up to five grants between $3–15 million to local governments and First Nations, to help them build natural water swimming structures.
This province-wide initiative supports bold, community-led ideas that connect people to swimmable water while creating healthier communities, more inclusive waterfronts, and stronger connections to nature, inspired by innovative, world-class design.
Communities are invited to submit applications between November 3, 2025 and January 9, 2026.
|
| | |
WCTA 62nd Annual Conference & Trade Show
February 10-12, 2026
The Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA) is gearing up for its 2026 Conference and Trade Show — happening February 10–12, 2026, at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, BC. Expect to connect with over 500 golf and sports field managers, learn from 20 top turf management educators, and explore 8,000 sq. ft. of exhibits from industry suppliers and service providers.
|
|
We understand that life is full of unexpected twists and turns. If your email address has changed, don't worry! Take a moment to send us a message so we can stay connected and keep you up-to-date with all the latest news.
| | | | |
