Denis Auger

Sporting and leisure activities among adolescents: A case study of the spatial planning of the proximity of leisure and sports facilities in rural and suburban territories in Quebec

Quebec, like other Canadian provinces, is dealing with sedentary lifestyle problems affecting its youth. Several recent studies have suggested that good-quality spatial planning regarding recreational and sporting facilities helps to increase the level of physical activity youth undertake. However, this correlation also intermingles with spatial elements linked to the living environments of youth (urban, suburban, and rural), and this study was conducted from this perspective. It aims to analyze the spatial planning quality of recreation and sports facilities in the regional county municipality of Joliette according to youth aged between 12 and 17, and, concomitantly, identify the perceptions of local actors working or involved with youth regarding these spatial planning elements. Through 16 focus groups, this study brings to light the key elements for making the proximity of leisure and sporting venues attractive to adolescents, namely accessibility, animation, and multifunctionality.

Tourism conversion and place branding: the case of the Olympic Park in Montreal

Purpose – Many Olympic cities are faced with the challenge of converting various remaining infrastructures after the Games have been held. These infrastructures, often imposing and highly specialized, require local actors to innovate and engage in an urban renewal process that can be very complex and expensive when trying to give them a second life as tourism sites. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Based on an online survey administered to international travellers (n=5,553) and 36 semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders, this study shows that the Olympic Park, mainly through the stadium, has international recognition. Findings – However, the sustainability and development of these attractions will need a major overhaul with its welcoming amenities and the integration of the surrounding neighbourhoods in the regeneration plan. Originality/value – Among these facilities, we have the Montreal Olympic Stadium, which is often identified as the architectural jewel...

A model for a community leisure initiative analysis

The popularity of community and community development in the social sciences increased during the second half of the twentieth century. Today the continual growth of community development is evident particularly in fields such as leisure studies that are concerned with providing services during periods of economic restraint. Despite the recognized significance of community development, minimal research has been conducted in leisure studies on conceptual and theoretical development. Existing research in leisure and community development emphasizes the importance of a community initiative process. This article presents a model of community leisure initiative that builds on a model published almost two decades ago. Specifically, this model expands beyond the three development approaches of community development – conflict, technical assistance and self-help – with an emphasis on input through ‘felt need’ and outcome through social, physical, organizational and economic impacts.

Exploring rural youth leisure behaviour in Québec: social findings and territorial issues

Recreation and leisure undoubtedly enhance youth’s physical and mental well-being, thereby securing an important position in public policies related to public health and spatial development. Many Canadian municipalities, however, face a lack of participation in organized recreational activities for youth. This paper presents the results of a qualitative research study completed in the region of Lanaudière in Quebéc. The main goals of this research were to identify forms of recreational activities sought by rural youth aged 12–17 years, their needs in terms of leisure, as well as barriers related to their recreational participation. This study shows evidence that issues about economic and geographic accessibility are central to youth’s decisions on recreation and leisure. It also shows that notions of playing and implication should be at the heart of the proposed activities.

40 ans de recherche en plein air : évolution et tendance

Over the past 40 years, outdoor recreation research has developed a solid theoretical foundation that has allowed a better understanding of this field of study. This theoretical base has also allowed the development of conceptual models that have lent a fascinating intellectual framework to outdoor recreation research. Between 1978 and 2017, Loisir et Société/Society and Leisure published more than 960 articles; of these, 64 were related to outdoor recreation. These articles have illustrated the evolution and maturation of research in outdoor recreation. This can be observed through the evolution of the articles’ theoretical and conceptual frameworks, methodological approaches and themes studied. In addition, the various themes and frameworks can be grouped under three essential dimensions of outdoor recreation research : nature and territory, human and “human” activities, and sustainable development of resources. All the dimensions, issues and trends have an impact on the research, management and development of outdoor recreation.

Cross-country skiing by Quebecers and where they practice: towards ‘dwelling’ outdoor recreational tourism

ABSTRACT The notions of experience and ownership of practice areas have become central to the interpretation of different contemporary recreational events. The relationship to nature, the ‘wild’ character of certain landscapes or the authentic look of different places are now elements used by the tourism industry to promote various outdoor recreational areas. However, few studies have attempted to investigate this tourism issue through environmental psychology and the ‘dwelling’ concept, which logically comes down to a place of consumption, attachment, identity and social recognition. This article will present, through a quantitative methodological structure centred on a survey using questionnaires conducted among cross-country skiers (n = 829), the type and practical arrangements that influence the perceptual relationships the skier has with his environment.

The diverse meanings of leisure / Les diverses significations du loisir

Leisure is in constant evolution and this is the result of new innovations and trends (Pronovost, 2015). Leisure stakeholders are always planning for the future and they need to understand leisure and its evolution (Sessoms & Henderson, 1994). They need to understand that leisure can be defined as free time or when one is unoccupied with duties or responsibilities, as a luxury for their free time; as a necessity in a proper balance of social and family life; as a means of socializing and communicating with others; and so on (Pronovost, 2005, 2015; Russell, 2009). This reality suggests that the perception of leisure can change and evolve depending on experience, education, culture, gender, age, economic status, and social class (Sessoms & Henderson, 1994). This issue will explore leisure from these different perspectives. This issue of Loisir et société / Society & Leisure will examine the meanings of leisure diversity by presenting a variety of studies that illustrate its multidisciplinary nature. The article by Kim and Iwasaki (‘Role of Leisure-Generated Meanings in Adaptation to Acculturation Stress of Korean Immigrants in Canada’) tested the hypothesis that leisure-generated meanings would buffer acculturation stress on the psychological and sociocultural adaptation of Korean immigrants in a western Canadian city. Karadakis, Kaplanidou, and Karlis (‘Host and Non-Host Resident Awareness and Perceptions of Legacies for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games’); Fuchs and Guyon (‘Sociological Survey Amongst Practitioners: A Decisional Tool for Sports Organizations? The Case of the French Federation of Karate and Associated Disciplines’); Lassalle, Recours, and Griffet (‘Que gagnent et que dépensent les amateur-trice-s de course à pied?’); and Javerlhiac and Bodin (‘La « mauvaise réputation » ou la violence comme moyen de renversement du stigmate’) discuss different meanings and aspects of sport and leisure. Karadakis, Kaplanidou, and Karlis seek to understand and describe the perceptions of host and non-host residents concerning dominant legacy themes before, during, and after the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. The article by Fuchs and Guyon presents the results of a sociological survey commissioned by the French karate federation and almost entirely financed by the Ministry of Health, Youth, Sports and Community Life, carried out between 2008 and 2010 in an attempt to highlight the typical profile of participants of karate and associated disciplines. Lassalle, Recours, and Griffet aim to analyze the revenues and expenditure of amateur runners. The study takes into account three types of expenditure (equipment, registration, travel) and four types of income or benefits (equipment sponsors, reimbursement of travel expenses, invitations to competitions, performance rewards). The article by Javerlhiac and Bodin has two suggestions. The

The practice of leisure activities: commitment for health and normativity

This issue of Society and Leisure invited researchers to reflect on the effects, positive and negative, of practicing, or the cessation of practicing, leisure activities on the physical and psychological health of individuals. That the practice of leisure activities promotes the well-being of people and societies is a well-known fact. Indeed, since the turn of the twentieth century, therapeutic virtues have been attributed to ‘good’ leisure. An assiduous practice of physical and social activities promotes physical and psychological health, and supports integration and social ties. Taking time out for leisure is, therefore, considered healthy for the body and the spirit, just as absence from leisure activities results in a situation of exclusion, socially as well as economically. This requirement of time and leisure activities makes the practice of leisure a standard of normality. Activities of leisure, at any age, would not only be ‘like everyone else,’ therefore, normal, but deliberately desirable. Nevertheless, it appears that even ‘good’ leisure practices are not always as beneficial as social discourse implies. These practices, without being neither excessive nor deviant, can also have negative consequences: they can increase the stress related to the lack of time, transform the balance of sociability, or increase expectations about one’s own body. Rather than increase health, they can also cause a sense of social exclusion or loss of identity when practices must be temporarily or definitively ceased. The articles in this issue lead us to reflect on the paradoxical role of leisure at a time when its injunction no longer brings more health; no longer guarantees the quality of life and social inclusion that it promises, but, on the contrary, when the ‘normativity’ of leisure becomes a constraint and excludes. Fuchs, Perrin and Ohl’s article, ‘Using Sport to Cope with Cystic Fibrosis,’ presents people with cystic fibrosis, a disease characterized by respiratory and digestive disorders which get worse over time. This unavoidable degradation of health imposes major limitations on the practice of sport. If, at the beginning of the disease, sports are a way for some people to control the disease, to affirm the normativity of their bodies, to maintain a ‘sense of belonging to the world,’ at other times, the practice of sport increases the sense of loss of health and physical integrity. Activity thus appears paradoxical, at times being a source of hope, and at others, a confrontation with even greater suffering. Ferez et al. present the results of a survey conducted among people living with HIV. HIV/AIDS has been around for more than a quarter of a century. Control of this disease has improved greatly, but the taboos and stigmas remain in all spheres of life for these people, including the sphere of leisure. The fear of exclusion remains present and may

The visitor profile at a major sporting event: the 42nd Final of the Quebec Games (Jeux du Québec) in l’Assomption, Quebec, Canada

The Quebec Games have existed for more than 40 years. The main goal or mandate of these Games is to help develop sports in the province of Quebec on four levels: initiation, recreation, competition and elite. Major events like these Games have an impact on urban revitalization impacts, sport legacy benefits, tourism and image benefits, social and cultural benefits and economic benefits. The purpose of this article is to examine the tourism and economic benefits of this major event for the province of Quebec and the Lanaudière region. A survey was used to collect the information presented in this article. The Games drew an estimated 28,000 participants including athletes, officials, spectators, members of the media and visitors for the duration of the Games.

Déploiement du projet de développement durable de la MRC de l’Érable : en quête de mobilisation

Résumé Cette étude analyse un projet de développement local déployé sur le territoire du Centre-du-Québec, plus précisément, la MRC de l’Érable, qui a adopté une approche intégrée et durable. L’évaluation porte non seulement sur la nature statique du projet en cherchant à savoir si ses objectifs ont été atteints, mais veut aussi comprendre sa dynamique de déploiement puisqu’il s’agit d’un projet dont le rationnel sous-jacent et la mise en oeuvre interne (organisation) et externe (relation avec la ville, la communauté et les institutions) sont en cours de réalisation. La prise en compte de la mouvance est aussi justifiée par la nature du projet qui doit en permanence interagir et s’adapter à son milieu, lui-même en mouvement. La dimension évaluative de cette dynamique vise à mieux distinguer ce qui est dans « la nature des choses » (soumis à l’environnement nécessairement changeant) et ce qui relève d’erreurs évitables. Dès lors, il faut renoncer à toute évaluation linéaire, forcément réductrice de la richesse d’apprentissage que recèle cette expérience et recourir à une méthode d’évaluation participative et itérative. À l’évidence, les acteurs du projet ont été séduits par les principes de développement intégré et durable mis de l’avant par la Régie régionale de la santé et des services sociaux. L’approche avait le mérite de lutter contre le travail en silos, de privilégier le travail concerté et, au bout du compte, d’aborder les défis comme ils sont vécus par les collectivités et les individus, c’est-à-dire de façon holistique. Son caractère durable inférait une démarche appuyée sur la participation de la population s’appropriant son développement.