Romain Roult

The mobilizing effects and health benefits of proximity sport facilities: urban and environmental analysis of the Bleu, Blanc, Bouge project and Montreal North's outdoor rink

Obesity has become a world-recognized problem, largely attributed to a lack of everyday physical activity. Many recent studies show that the built environment can positively influence people to take on healthier lifestyles. In this article, we analyse the impact the implementation of a free outdoor skating rink has on the local populations social identity and physical activity in the Montreal North district. This research, based on a mixed design, demonstrates that the implementation of a proximity sport facility can inspire the population to engage in physical activity and can stimulate territorial appropriation. It also reveals that building a sport facility is not sufficient in itself to attract a mildly active or non-active clientele. In fact, it seems necessary to complement the facility with onsite-organized activities.

Planning and social appropriation of proximal sports facilities: the case of the exterior skating rink project ‘Bleu Blanc Bouge’ in Montreal North

The worldwide obesity epidemic, caused particularly by a lack of daily physical activity, is regrettable. Hence, many recent studies have demonstrated that many elements linked to the layout and appropriation of sports facilities can have a positive effect and lead to the integration of healthy habits. This article aims to analyze, through a case study that took place in a Montreal North neighborhood, the social impacts as well as the effects on the physical fitness of the local population following the building of an outdoor skating rink. This study, based on a mixed design, allows us to demonstrate that the building of proximal sports facilities invites the population to engage in physical activity and renews certain forms of social appropriation and territorial attachment.

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...

Quebec's recreation intervention model in health care and social services and its implications for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification's standards

Many concerns emerge related to the use of therapeutic recreation certification through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) in Quebec (Canada). In addition to linguistic issues, Quebec stands out by the way it approaches certain social issues. As such, it is relevant to contribute to this special edition of the World Leisure Journal and explain the situation in Quebec. Indeed, the way the profession developed in Quebec is different, in some respects, from the model brought forward by the NCTRCs certification, especially for the components regarding the therapeutic use of leisure. A leisure-orientation model provided by a general recreation professional (recreologist or leisure technician) is a preferred model to help people with special needs in Quebec. The major strength of this model is certainly the fact that it mainly focuses on valuing the individuals potential and well-being rather than on reducing his or her incapacities. This paper gives a brief historical overview of the recreation profession in the field of health in Quebec and describes how it shapes the role of recreation practitioners. It then covers the strengths and weaknesses of the recreation and health model brought forward in Quebec. Finally, the development of an eventual adhesion to a national certification is explored.

Physical Activity and the Development of the Built Environment in Schools for Youth with a Functional Disability in Quebec

Abstract Background: Assess how primary and secondary schools were designed to encourage the practice of physical and sporting activities for young people with limited physical abilities. Analyse the impacts of the built environment on the adoption of active behaviours for the disabled clientele in schools. Materials and methods: Fifteen schools in Quebec were examined using two structured and coded observation grids. Fifty-two interviews were held with each school’s administrative team, physical education teachers, the professional staff, parents and youth with limited physical abilities. Results: The school environment is a central component in the inclusion of youth with physical limitations. However, the lack of means, the dilapidated state of some spaces along with the lack of knowledge of the different populations of youth with limited physical abilities can account for the fact that the schools observed offer an environment that is more of less accessible or poorly adapted to these young people. Conclusions: Most of the time, certain non-existent or deficient faculties in the surveyed areas have a negative impact on the autonomy, perseverance, and the level of inclusion of young individuals with limited physical abilities. It therefore seems essential to adapt and develop areas of activity in accordance with the clientele’s (or potential clientele’s) physical limitations

Territorial and touristic branding: urban history and the festive and economic perspectives of Montreal's Formula One Grand Prix

Since its creation in 1978, the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix has taken an increasingly significant place in Montreals event calendar. The loss of this event in 2009, mostly due to financial setbacks, further highlighted its influence on Montreal and the Province of Quebecs tourism industry and economy. Many political stakeholders used these specific arguments to justify the major public funds they disbursed in order to re-introduce Montreals race in the 2010 F1 calendar. This article examines how the Montreal Grand Prix was established, planned and put to use in an urban and touristic perspective through a historical analysis, using concepts such as territorial and touristic branding, the festive city, and sports mega-event. At the same time, in order to highlight the structuring effects of this event on the local and regional tourism industry, we will present in-depth reflexions on the economic and festive benefits of the event.

The concept of ‘dwelling’ through leisure sport / L’habiter par les loisirs sportifs

This issue devoted to ‘dwelling’ sets out to explore leisure sports in a new light. It is inspired by and complements the many studies conducted by philosophers, geographers, anthropologists, and urban planners around the notion of ‘dwelling’, not in the sense of residing, but in the sense of inhabiting. In the works of Martin Heidegger (1951), Lucien Febvre (1952), and Augustin Berque (1990/2000), this concept is used to describe man’s ecological and cultural relationship with the Earth. The concept of dwelling has its counterpart in building and reciprocally, as highlighted by Tim Ingold (2000), with leisure sport developing out of this tension. Dwelling is considered to be the practice of frequenting geographical spaces in the World (Stock, 2004). We use this notion to focus on the analysis of the human experience and to explore the meanings of the act of dwelling. Dwelling can thus be considered to be practically synonymous with living. Michel De Certeau sees it as a fundamental resistance to technical consumption, a way of inventing the quotidian, an art of making that harks back to the subtle stratagems of the hunter gatherers (De Certeau, 1990). ‘The art of dwelling’ thus consists in ‘remaining in one’s own tracks, letting everyday life trace its own networks and the articulations of one’s biography in the landscape’ (Ivan Illich, 1994, p. 64). Thus, the individual is never limited to a passive role. Dwelling implies the development, the realization and the accomplishment of an individual in his abiding connection with the world around him and the world he constructs. It remains to explore the manner in which leisure activities – as time freed from the constraints of work, based on the principle of individual free and disinterested choice (Dumazedier, 1962, 1974) – constitute a specific mode of dwelling. In his day, Herbert Marcuse saw ipsative time (time for oneself) as a moment of reconnection with our animal instincts (Marcuse, 1955, 1963). As demonstrated by J. Huizinga, the part common to man and animals is precisely this instinctive interaction with the natural and social milieu and where dwelling is constructed. Secondly, in this same context, the notion implies a reflection on the rapports between man and his living spaces. Whereas contemporary ecological, sanitary and housing considerations lead us to conceive of a variety of unliveable situations, this raises the question of the definition of ludo-sporting dwell-ability, an original means of (re)creating palpable links between man his living spaces. Finally, in twofold focus, the idea here and for this special issue of Leisure/Loisir is to LEISURE/LOISIR, 2017 VOL. 41, NO. 1, 1–9 https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2017.1339998

Winter Olympic Games, cities, and tourism: a systematic literature review in this domain

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to present the current state of scientific knowledge on the Winter Olympic Games (2000 to present-day) and their urban and tourism-related impacts. To achieve this, a scoping review was performed using established methodology. Of the 1694 English and French peer-reviewed sources identified from 14 different databases, 47 met the specific inclusion criteria and were retained for analysis. Findings were divided into three sections according to our objectives: (1) methodological profiles of the selected articles; (2) urban impacts; (3) tourism-related impacts. First, the reviewed sources – mainly qualitative – generally showed that mega-events such as the Winter Olympic Games are a catalyst for the urban renewal of host cities. However, these urban transformations must be part of a global scenario to ensure long-term viability. Although research shows that the Games represent an opportunity for the development of the tourism industry, the scoping review showed mixed results in terms of tourist flows and the enhancement of the city’s image. The concluding remarks identify the limitations of this study and offer opportunities and areas of research regarding the next Winter Games.

Inclusive Sporting Events in Schools for Youth With Disabilities in Quebec

Participating in physical activities and sports entails positive impacts for youth with disabilities regarding their physical and social well-being. In Quebec, however, opportunities to practice inclusive sports adapted to their needs are scarce beyond the boundaries of the school environment. Through 33 semi-structured interviews conducted with practitioners involved in organizing such adapted sporting events, this study aims to better understand the needs and expectations linked to these events and, simultaneously, identify the social, experiential, and educational roles of these events on youth with disabilities. Results demonstrate substantial positive impacts on these young people (enjoyment, pride, self-esteem, etc.) and on their relatives. Results also highlight several barriers, notably, material and human, that can hinder their desire to go on with physical activities and sports in their school environment.