FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 14, 2026
Recreation Leaders from Across Atlantic Canada Gathering in Halifax for Regional Conference
From emergency response to community wellbeing, recreation practitioners and recreation facilities are stepping up to play a bigger role than ever in community life. From May 20-22, 2026, over 200 leaders from across Atlantic Canada and beyond are gathering in Halifax to explore what comes next.
Recreation Nova Scotia (RNS) and the Recreation Facility Association of Nova Scotia (RFANS) are proud to host the upcoming Atlantic Recreation & Facilities Conference (ARFC), taking place May 20-22, 2026, at the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax.
Under the theme Powering Possibility: Tools for Today’s Recreation and Facility Leaders, this year’s conference will welcome delegates, sponsors, and exhibitors for three days of learning, collaboration, and networking. Held biennially, ARFC brings together recreation professionals, facility operators, municipal leaders, and sector partners, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening recreation, community infrastructure and services across the Atlantic region.
As recreation departments and facilities are increasingly called upon to respond to broader community challenges, including emergency response, homelessness, climate resilience, community wellbeing, and inclusive public spaces, the conference will focus on the evolving role recreation plays in supporting healthy, connected, and resilient communities.
“The recreation sector continues to adapt and step up to meet the evolving needs of communities across the region, helping shape healthy, active, and vibrant communities. ARFC provides an important opportunity for those recreation and facility leaders to learn from one another and build knowledge together as we navigate many similar challenges and opportunities across the four provinces”. said Graham Mounsey, Executive Director, Recreation Nova Scotia.
“Recreation facilities are becoming increasingly important pieces of community infrastructure during emergencies.” said Recreation Facility Association of Nova Scotia Executive Director, Jennie Greencorn. “Whether providing shelter during extreme weather events, operating as cooling or warming centres, or supporting community recovery efforts, recreation facilities and those who operate them are playing a key role in local community resilience.”
A featured session, The Changing Role of Recreation when Emergencies Occur, will explore how recreation facilities and professionals are becoming essential community hubs during emergencies and natural disasters. The panel will bring together recreation professionals who have first-hand experiences of adapting recreation facilities and services to respond to community needs during times of crisis. They will share their experiences and lessons learned, facilitated by Nancy Dubois of the Canadian Parks & Recreation Association.
Delegates will also participate in behind-the-scenes tours of recreation and sport facilities across Halifax, including the Halifax Waterfront, the Halifax Commons Pool and Emera Oval, Dalhousie University’s Dalplex, the new Oulton-Stanish Centre, and Wickwire Field. RNS and RFANS are pleased to welcome representatives from our funding partners at the Province of Nova Scotia, underscoring the ongoing commitment to recreation, community infrastructure, and the professionals who support communities across the province.
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Additional Information:
The event is hosted in partnership with Recreation PEI, Recreation NB | Loisirs N.-B, and Recreation Newfoundland & Labrador. Further details about the conference are available at ARFC.ca
Recreation Nova Scotia is a provincial not-for-profit organization that supports, promotes, and advocates for the values and personal, social, economic, and environmental benefits of recreation and leisure through education, partnerships, and sector development.
The Recreation Facility Association of Nova Scotia is a provincial not-for-profit that supports recreation facility professionals and operators providing leadership in developing, promoting and advocating excellence in recreational facilities, operations and personnel.
Media Contacts:
Graham Mounsey, Executive Director
Recreation Nova Scotia
902-789-9052
Jennie Greencorn, Executive Director
Recreation Facility Association of Nova Scotia
902-425-5450