On January 30th, 1992, the Recreation Facility Association of Nova Scotia (RFANS) was formed through an amalgamation of the Arena Managers and the Aquatic Facility Managers Associations of Nova Scotia. RFANS continues today to serve those memberships and all recreational facilities including sports fields, tracks, trails, playgrounds. RFANS is operated by a volunteer Board of Directors and managed by an Executive Director and is registered as a not for profit. RFANS is committed to promote and encourage the professional development of recreation facility personnel and provide opportunities for this development; to act as a unified voice for recreation facility personnel regarding issues affecting facilities and their management; to improve communication between facilities; and to promote the provision of high quality; and to promote the provision of high quality, safe recreation facilities. These are programs and workshops RFANS offers to its membership. The Maritime Arena Operators Institute (MAOI), offering expertise in ice making, ice resurfacing, and refrigeration and energy efficiency, Mid-season workshops geared specifically for arena operators, Certified Pool Operators (CPO) Course for pool operators, subsidized Helmet programs and subsidized Auto External Defibrillators (AED) programs, a partner in the delivery of the 2nd Class Refrigeration Course, Turf Field Management workshops and the Ice Rink Energy Project with Efficiency NS and the Department of Health and Wellness to provide energy efficient alternative to arenas and curling rinks in the province. As well, RFANS organizes and delivers a bi-annual Recreation Symposium and Tradeshow and is a partner in the organization and delivery of the bi-annual Atlantic Recreation Facilities Conference.
