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 population's 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.