After 37 years of waiting, leisure organizations and sports associations in the province finally have their castle.
“We’re coming from the basement! We didn’t believe in it anymore,” said Football Quebec general manager Steve Duchesneau during the inauguration of the Maison du loisirs et du sport on Boulevard Lacordaire in Montreal on Thursday.
Since 1985, the Regroupement Loisir et Sport du Québec has resided in the former parking lot of the 1976 Games at the Olympic Stadium… temporarily!
“It was dark, it was heavy, there was no window,” said Sports Minister Isabelle Charest, relieved for the 600 employees of the 105 organizations that make 3 million Quebecers happy.
“We can finally breathe! The light, the atmosphere, everything is different. You don’t hear the big blocks of the ventilation system anymore, you don’t feel overwhelmed anymore,” said Boccia Quebec coordinator Élizabeth Déziel, who intends to use the gym, showers, relaxation areas or massage therapy services.
Soccer Quebec is coming
With a new five-story building housing a travel agency and several professional services, as well as 32 meeting rooms, Soccer Quebec has decided to move in over the next year.
“We really feel like we belong to a sports community,” said Luis R. Galvez, director of membership services for Soccer Québec, who specifies that his federation will return to the federation after about 15 years, although it continues to gain a foothold will be in Laval.
Visibility and Accessibility
The minister is also pleased that these organizations have a showcase.
” [C’est important] to see that people are behind it. There are people busy organizing and working to make it work. There is a place where these people work to keep young and old active. »
“When I was an athlete, I felt like there was nothing behind them because you couldn’t see them,” the ex-speed skater admitted.
Only downside: Accessibility for those with limited mobility is good but could be better, especially for a group that includes Kéroul Québec, which focuses on tourism and culture for people with limited physical abilities. Some automated doors don’t have a button and spaces are sometimes tight, especially for employees who need to move equipment.
“We met building codes and went beyond them,” said Sylvain B. Lalonde, the regroup’s president and CEO. But we are always sensitive to any requests from our members. »