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ORFA ALERT

Ice Sheet Facility Operations 2024/25

August 12, 2024

The installation of sport ice markings and logos will soon be a priority for many facilities as the typical ice operations season approaches. And in some operations, this will be a time of confusion for facility operations with regards to accomplishing this task.

The ORFA recently connected with Hockey Canada staff to review and request clarification to line marking information contained within their 2022-2024 Rule Book (Updated 2023). The end result is a new Hockey Canada Rink Technical Guidelines resource that clarifies many of the discussions and builds upon a 2012 Canadian Recreation Facilities Council (Network) line marking resource for hockey.

The ORFA respects Hockey Canada’s role and leadership in their sport, however, it is important to remind ORFA member facilities that Hockey Canada is one user of the ice sheet inventory and as such, any information circulated by Hockey Canada and their member provincial/territorial partners regarding facility operations and use by any user group does not have to be adopted by the facility owner.  And should that decision to adopt be made by the owner, there is no requirement to do so immediately.  

For example, ORFA members have shared recent requests by user groups to install additional goal-creases for cross ice use. This request would result in the need to install either an additional two or six goal creases (depending on the cross ice layout). This requires careful consideration and implications on not just line markings for hockey, but other sports. It will also require considerations for net anchoring systems.  And more importantly, it may open the door for other user groups to request similar accommodations for their sport by the facility owner. Alternatively, ORFA member facilities have also shared that they are suggesting to users to use “bingo dabbers” or “markers” to draw in creases on a per use basis. 

Customer (user) service is an important part of managing any recreation facility. The need for open and advance communication is paramount to developing positive facility relationships while considering risk, liability, and industry best practice. The following should be considered as part of this on-going communication strategy:

  1. Ice sheet installation and markings are the responsibility of facility management to determine based on user need and contractual relationships. There is no legal requirement or expectation to paint an ice sheet white and apply specific markings.
  2. Any facility operational expectation in the form of a sport governing body rule book or organizational bulletin does not have to be responded to by any facility and if elected to do so, not immediately.
  3. Any request by a user group for a specific facility need should be evaluated with regards to cost to implement and this cost may be passed along to the user.
  4. The key to maintaining positive relationships with all users is through the development of well-written facility contract that set out roles, responsibilities, services and costs.

The ORFA offers the following resources as either "Open Access" or "Member Only Access".

OPEN ACCESS

MEMBER ONLY ACCESS


 
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