Ontario Recreation Facilities to Host Emergency Management Symposium

MARKHAM, Ontario, Oct. 21, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (ORFA) is convening leaders from the province’s recreation sector for its Symposium 2026, scheduled for October 26 and 27 in Markham. The event aims to underscore the critical role of local recreation facilities in emergency management planning, as these venues often transform into essential services during crises.

When disaster strikes, local arenas and recreation centres frequently serve as evacuation centres, warming or cooling hubs, and information points. ORFA emphasizes that investing in these facilities is not just about leisure but also about public safety. Many communities have firsthand experience repurposing these spaces during emergencies. For instance, in summer 2026, Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay and Mountjoy Arena in Timmins were used as evacuation centres for people fleeing and returning from wildfires across Northern Ontario.

In March 2025, a severe ice storm hit central and eastern Ontario, causing significant damage and generating approximately $11 million in unplanned costs for the City of Peterborough. The storm necessitated the use of warming centres, highlighting the importance of preparedness. Peterborough’s Director of Emergency & Risk Management will present at the Symposium to share lessons learned on emergency preparedness.

Despite their potential, many local recreation facilities are not fully prepared for emergencies. A building may be large enough to hold hundreds of people, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it is equipped to host evacuees. Much of Ontario’s recreation infrastructure was not built with emergency management in mind and is aging. Many facilities were constructed more than 50 years ago and lack amenities needed in an emergency. For example, can the facility keep the lights and heat on during a multi-day power outage? Can it provide safe indoor air during wildfire smoke or extreme heat? Are entrances and washrooms accessible? Is there a place to charge phones? Are there showers, toilets, and places to prepare and refrigerate food? Are staff trained to convert an arena into an evacuation centre? These are critical questions for governments and communities to evaluate.

At the ORFA Symposium 2026, Ontario’s recreation leaders will participate in education sessions that will help them address these questions in their own communities. Session topics include extreme weather response, community event safety, digital risks of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, retrofitting community facilities for emergency response, post-pandemic lessons learned, and more. The goal is to ensure that local recreation facilities are better prepared to serve as vital emergency services when needed.

The Symposium will provide a platform for discussions on how to enhance the resilience of recreation infrastructure, ensuring that these facilities can effectively support communities during emergencies.