Open Letter to ORFA Members and Employers

Dear Colleagues,

As we are aware, the pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for all communities and has required a flexible and responsive approach. Over the past year, we have witnessed the vital role that recreation facility professionals, and recreation infrastructure (indoor and outdoor), play in our communities. While following public health guidance, providing even limited access to recreation has allowed our community residents to stay connected, support their physical and mental health, and hopefully encourages them to view a more positive, post-pandemic future.

You, and your team members, are the reason why great community recreation exists. I hope you will join me in recognizing the recreation facility professionals within your organization and thank them for their commitment and resilience to ensuring safe and enjoyable recreational activities and spaces.

As a member of the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (ORFA), we continue to support you in your operation and management of your community assets. Since last summer, ORFA has provided its members with timely, current and relevant pandemic-related information. In addition to ORFA’s weekly e- news sent to all members, we encourage you to visit www.orfa.com to access other membership benefits, including:

• COVID-19 Updates and Toolbox including Recreation Facility COVID-19 Re-entering and Reopening Guiding Principles and Best Practices
• Events: online self-study and virtual
• Professional designations
• Facility Forum magazine (print and digital)
• Resource Centre (podcasts, webinars, best practice guidelines, discussion board)
• Careers (job postings)

Recreation facility professionals, through education, workplace-specific training, and professional certification, have the requisite skills, enhanced knowledge and empowered attitude to better operate and manage infrastructure in support of safe facilities. Your ORFA membership allows you to invest in yourself, your staff, and your profession.

I wish to close by thanking our 7,000-plus members for providing critically important frontline and management services to our communities and for their support of corporate, municipal, provincial and federal directives that align in keeping your communities as safe as possible.

The ORFA is here to help. Please reach out to us at anytime!

Sincerely,