Outdoor Ice Symposium

Outdoor Ice Symposium

THE BENTWAY STUDIO  •  TORONTO  • ON  • JANUARY 23-24 2024

ABOUT

The Ontario Recreation Facilities Association is hosting a two-day outdoor ice event that will focus on the opportunities and challenges of offering outdoor ice-skating experiences. The symposium will explore the expanding inventory of ice sheet creation, operation, and maintenance. From the traditional neighbourhood outdoor ice rink, natural ice-skating venues, and an expansion in skating pathways like our host facility, The Bentway, all offer exciting recreational experiences. However, changing weather patterns, regulatory responsibility for mechanical assisted outdoor ice sheets, liability associated with offering these types of recreational experiences and shrinking financial support for daily operations requires owners of these types of venues to balance risk and reward.

The symposium is a collection of information that highlights the issues and solutions being explored to provide this type of outdoor facility recreational service. It is an excellent opportunity to have an open conversation on what exactly is involved with designing, constructing, and operating these types of facilities.

SESSIONS/SPEAKERS

• Industry Growth - Robert Knesaurek, Senior Vice-President, National Hockey League  
• Impacts of Changing Winter Weather - Frances Delaney, Policy Analyst, Canadian Centre for Climate Services
• RinkWatch Project - Rob McLeman, Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University, RinkWatch Project
• Changing Trends in Engineering Design Expectations - Ian Storey, President, I.B. Storey Inc.
• Equipment Options to Assist Mother Nature - Jason Hill, CIMCO Refrigeration
• Outdoor Ice Refrigeration Regulatory Responsibilities - Glen Lang, Chief Officer, Technical Standards and Safety Authority
• Outdoor Ice Maintenance Equipment - Marty Elliot, Sales Account Representative, Zamboni Company Ltd.
• The Bentway Skate Trail Tour, Michael Clarke, Facilities Manager, The Bentway Conservancy and CIMCO Refrigeration.
• Learn About The Bentway - Michael Clarke, Facilities Manager, The Bentway Conservancy
• Don’t Forget About Accessibility - Ulrich (Uli) Egger,  Accessibility Certification Specialist,  Rick Hansen Foundation
• Designing and Constructing a Dual-Purpose Recreational Space - Jamie Lopes, Senior Project Manager, Aquatic Design and Engineering
• Reducing the Risk of Outdoor Ice - Jessica Jaremchuk, Vice-President, Risk Management Services, Intact Public Entities
• Making Outdoor Ice - Dave Loverock, Vice-President, Jet Ice Ltd.
• Outdoor Boards and Glass - Athletica Sport Systems Inc.

• The Evolution of Synthetic Ice Surfaces - Steven J. Wong, Chief Operating Officer, Can-Ice International

• Renting an Outdoor Ice Venue - Bob Hanson, Senior Project Manager, Ice Rinks Events
• Outdoor Ice Best Practices - Terry Piche, Director, Training, Research and Development, Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (ORFA) and Zack Tarantino, Marmak

The Bentway Studio - 55 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 3K9