Awards and Recognition

NOMINATION FORM: Online Nomination Form  Award Archives/Images

History of Past Recipients

The Ontario Recreation Facilities Association continues to grow with the same determination as that of the small group of six men who established the roots of this association in 1947 when the Ontario Arenas Association first began.

From these founding fathers, through to our current organization, a great number of our members have volunteered their time and expertise to help enhance competencies and shape policies and procedures for the betterment of the recreation facility industry…a fact that does not go unrecognized. 

Annually, the ORFA recognizes a number of individuals for their commitment, inspiration and support to the recreation facility industry.  The Awards and Recognition categories are:

  • Life Membership
  • C.C. Dahmer Award of Excellence
  • Ronald G. Burnside Memorial Award
  • Don Harrison Energy Champion Award
  • Doug Moore Ambassador Award
  • Tony Brenner Mentor Award
  • Accessibility and Inclusion Award
  • Recreation Facilities Asset Management Award of Excellence
  • Certificate of Merit
  • Certificate of Merit (Corporate)
  • Doug Poulin Certificate of Achievement
  • Doug Moore Scholarship Trust Fund

Nomination Process

Any ORFA member may nominate a deserving candidate by completing the Online Nomination Form. Nominations are open year round. However, must be received by no-later than October 31st for consideration and approval to be presented at the ORFA annual general meeting generally held the beginning of December each year. The ORFA Awards and Recognition Committee review and make recommendations for award recipients to the ORFA Board of Directors. Award winners are notified of their selection and invited to be a guest at the Awards and Recognition luncheon, held in conjunction with ORFA's annual general meeting. Award recipients will be recognized with a permanent plaque or framed certificate, depending on the award.  

Life Membership 

A Life Membership is awarded to a fully retired member who has made a significant contribution to the recreation sector and/or to their local community and/or to the ORFA. 

C.C. Dahmer Award of Excellence 

The C.C. Dahmer Award of Excellence is the highest honour that can be awarded to an ORFA member. The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a minimum of 10 years service to the ORFA, has chaired at least two committees and has served on the Board of Directors. 

Ronald G. Burnside Memorial Award 

The Ronald G. Burnside Memorial Award is presented to an individual in recognition of his/her outstanding contribution to the ORFA in the area of professional development. 

Don Harrison Energy Champion Award 

The Don Harrison Energy Champion Award is presented to an individual in recognition of a project resulting in significant energy consumption reduction, improved energy management education and/or research, or a record achievement of service in recreation facility energy management. 

Doug Moore Ambassador Award

The Doug Moore Ambassador Award is presented to an individual in recognition of his/her outstanding promotion to others of the benefits of membership in the ORFA. 

Tony Brenner Mentor Award 

The Tony Brenner Mentor Award is presented to an individual who embraces the vision of the ORFA, and through professional conduct and service, openly shares and mentors others in the recreation facility industry. 

Accessibility and Inclusion Award

This award is presented to a recreation facility, or recreation-related business/organization who have significantly included accessibility and/or inclusion elements into the design, build, or retrofit of indoor/outdoor recreation facility infrastructure and/or the provision of related service(s).

The award submission must be made by a current ORFA member in good standing and the submission will be considered against the following criteria:

  • Be a recreation facility or recreation-related business/organization
  • Accessibility and/or inclusion improvements must exceed minimum Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards and have been completed/implemented within the last three years
  • Design, build, or retrofit of indoor/outdoor recreation facility infrastructure, and/or provision of service, must have been done in consultation with, or reviewed by, user groups
  • Accessibility and/or inclusion project must highlight the elimination of barriers, inclusion, and independence for people with disabilities

Recreation Facility Asset Management Award of Excellence

Sponsored by Marmak

This award is presented to a recreation facility professional or recreation business/organization, who has displayed an advanced comprehension and application of Recreation Facility Asset Management (RFAM).

The award recipient will have demonstrated skills in asset management including infrastructure inventory controls, preventative and operational maintenance tracking, lifecycle planning, sustainability, and safety compliance and program development.

The award recipient is an ORFA member, currently utilizes RFAM in their operations, and provides leadership in:

  • Inventory Controls
  • Infrastructure and Equipment Inspection Programs
  • Work Order Management
  • Lifecycle Planning and Replacement Projection
  • Safety Compliance
  • Recreation Facility Asset Management advocacy for the advancement of RFAM principles and best practices
  • Encouraging education and training of RFAM to all levels of recreation practitioners.

The award recipient will receive a $1,000.00 credit voucher for use towards a RFAM subscription.

    Certificate of Merit 

    The Certificate of Merit is awarded to a member who has contributed a significant amount of volunteer time and effort to the development and advancement of the ORFA through education, training, and/or research projects. 

    Certificate of Merit (Corporate) 

    The Certificate of Merit (Corporate) is awarded to a corporate member in recognition of outstanding contribution to the advancement of the ORFA through education, training, and/or research projects. 

    Doug Poulin Certificate of Achievement 

    The Doug Poulin Certificate of Achievement is awarded to an individual who has achieved the highest grade in the Basic Arena Refrigeration course throughout the current year. 

    Doug Moore Scholarship Trust Fund

    The Doug Moore Scholarship Trust Fund is provided in memory of the late Doug Moore in conjunction with Jet Ice Limited and International Icemakers Society. Application Form


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