Arena & Refrigeration Courses

If you’re working in the arena or refrigeration industry, RFABC has got you covered with a range of training courses designed to boost your skills and propel your career forward. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up, we offer courses tailored to your needs and goals. From mastering the ins and outs of arena maintenance to becoming a pro at refrigeration safety, our courses provide the knowledge and certification you need to succeed in this dynamic field. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and take your career to new heights with RFABC.

Registration Fee:Member Rate: $1350 | Non-Member Rate: $1500

This 40-hour course prepares students to write the Technical Safety BC (TSBC) Provincial IFO Exam. Course content includes basic applied mathematics, safety, codes and regulations, basic refrigeration thermodynamics and system components, floor systems, coolants, electrical systems, heat reclaim and humidity control and general maintenance procedures.

This course and successful Exam are the ​pre-requisite ​for ​the ​TSBC Provincial ​IFO ​Exam along with ​30 ​days’ ​work ​experience ​including ​completion ​of ​the ​practicum ​Logbook. ​For ​more ​information ​on ​​writing ​the ​provincial ​IFO ​exam, ​visit ​the ​TSBC website or ​call ​toll ​free ​1-866-566-7233.

Course ​participants will receive a Course Manual, ​calculator, and the Academic Supplement ​for ​the ​course.​​ Students ​interested ​in ​​their ​TSBC ​Refrigeration ​Operator ​Provincial ​certification, ​may ​use ​this ​IFO ​classroom ​time ​as ​the ​first ​of ​three ​weeks ​classroom ​time ​required ​by ​the ​TSBC ​to ​qualify ​to ​write ​the ​Provincial ​RO ​exam.

Prerequisites:

  1. Should have completed grade 12 or acceptable equivalent education particularly math and English.
  2. Should be acceptably fluent in English in verbal, written and spoken.
  3. It is recommended that an applicant works or intends to work in the Ice Rink Industry as refrigeration work experience is required to obtain the final qualification.

Did you know that this RFABC Course is eligible for the B.C Employer Education Grant? You could receive up to 80% of the course cost. Click here to learn more

 

Upcoming Courses

Mar. 24 - 28, 2025
Duncan, BC
May 5 - 9, 2025
Delta, BC
Aug. 18 - 22, 2025
Richmond, BC
Nov. 17 - 21, 2025
Coquitlam, BC

Registration Fee:Member Rate: $485 | Non-Member Rate: $560

This course is ideal for the front-line arena operator who is looking for an opportunity to upgrade their skills in basic arena operations. Both experienced and new operators are encouraged to register. This course would also be suitable for supervisors, managers and other recreation staff members wishing to increase their knowledge and awareness about ice arena operations.

Course Goals and Outcomes:

  • A basic understanding of theory and practical applications of ice installations.
  • A basic understanding of ice theory, operations, maintenance and quality control.
  • A basic understanding of the importance of a preventative maintenance program.
  • A basic understanding of arena hockey dasher boards systems, construction, and maintenance.

The ice making portion consists of instruction and practical, hands-on sessions in the making, marking, painting and maintenance of artificial ice surfaces. Participants will require warm work clothing for the on-ice sessions.

 

Did you know that this RFABC Course is eligible for the B.C Employer Education Grant? You could receive up to 80% of the course cost. Click here to learn more.

 

Upcoming Courses

June 21 - 22, 2025
Kelowna, BC
July 21 - 22, 2025
North Saanich, BC
Aug. 7 - 8, 2025
Kitimat, BC
Aug. 11 - 12, 2025
Fernie, BC

Registration Fee:Member Rate: $1950 | Non-Member Rate: $2175 | Glenn McQuarrie Enterprises: Pricing available at registration

Approved by Technical Safety BC (TSBC), this course prepares students to qualify to write the Provincial Refrigeration Operator Exam. Topics for instruction conform to the BCSA and Standardization of Power Engineers Exam and Certification (SOPEEC) Syllabus including The Act, Regulations and Codes, Safety, Refrigeration Systems Administration, Refrigeration Fundamentals, Compressors, Controls and Instrumentation, Condensers and Cooling Towers, Evaporators and Cooling Coils, Operation, and Maintenance, Electrical, Air Conditioning, Mathematics and Science and Practical Experience.

The course runs for two consecutive weeks, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm daily, in a classroom setting. Students must bring the academic supplement from their IFO Course and a calculator. The course manual, included in the registration fee, is provided to students at the course location on their first day in the classroom. For more information on the TSBC provincial RO exam, visit Technical Safety BC.

Prerequisites:

  1. Completion of the IFO course as the first of three weeks required classroom time to qualify to write the TSBC Provincial Exam.
  2. Should have completed grade 12 or acceptable equivalent education particularly math and English.
  3. Should be acceptably fluent in English in verbal, written and spoken.
  4. It is recommended that an applicant works or intends to work in the Ice Rink Industry as refrigeration work experience is required to obtain the final qualification.

Did you know that this RFABC Course is eligible for the B.C Employer Education Grant? You could receive up to 80% of the course cost. Click here to learn more.

Upcoming Courses

May 26 - June 6, 2025
Glenn McQuarrie Enterprises: Duncan, BC

Registration Fee:Member Rate: $465 | Non-Member Rate: $555

This 8-hour classroom course prepares students to write the Technical Safety BC provincial Refrigeration Safety Awareness RSA exam. This course is suited for personnel working in any regulated refrigeration facility, but whose job duties do not include operation and/or repair of the refrigeration plant. It is also for IFO or RO certificate holders seeking a refresher course on plant safety. Course content comprises four sections:

Section 1, BC Refrigeration Safety Legislation: Safety Regulations, CSA Refrigeration Code, RSA Certificate holder responsibilities, logbook use, accident reporting and safety committee.

Section 2, Refrigeration Systems: Basic refrigeration system components, refrigerants and lubricant use and monitoring, safety valves and operating and safety controls.

Section 3, Safety Equipment: accident types and prevention, fire classification and prevention and, emergency breathing apparatus.

Section 4, General Safety: safety alarms and shut down devices, emergency shutdown, evacuation procedures and safe work practices.

For more information on making application to write the provincial RSA exam, visit the Technical Safety BC Website or call toll free 1-866-566-7233.

Prerequisites:

  1. Should have completed grade 12 or acceptable equivalent education particularly math and English.
  2. Should be acceptably fluent in English in verbal, written and spoken.
  3. It is recommended that an applicant works or intends to work in the Ice Rink Industry as refrigeration work experience is required to obtain the final qualification.

 

Did you know that this RFABC Course is eligible for the B.C Employer Education Grant? You could receive up to 80% of the course cost. Click here to learn more.

 

 

 

Upcoming Courses

Aug. 16, 2025
Comox (Lazo), BC
Sep. 13, 2025
Burnaby, BC
Sep. 20, 2025
Port Alberni, BC
Nov. 3, 2025
New Westminster, BC

Please Note: The registration system uses your email address to identify you as a member or non-member and assign the correct fee. After transferring to the CVent registration portal, click the registration button to start the process.