The City of Westmount is studying the possibility of proceeding with the rebuilding of its sports complex, comprising two indoor Arenas, one outdoor swimming pool, a number of multi-purpose rooms, and a youth centre. The objective of the construction of this complex is to respond to the needs of Westmount's hockey teams and figure skating clubs, in addition to the city’s requirements in terms of aquatic activities. Questions pertaining to the size and type of facilities required remain unanswered, despite the previous studies that have been conducted by the administration. Do we need two indoor Arenas? Should an indoor swimming pool have been included? 

In this context, and with a view to validating the selected orientation with respect to the construction of its new sports complex, the City of Westmount is seeking to confirm the requirements identified in terms of ice sports and aquatic activities within its territory.

In 2006, the City of Westmount had 20,494 residents. Throughout Québec, the aging of the population during the period from 2001 to 2006 was the result of a much higher increase in the older population as compared to the youth population. For the City of Westmount, Ville de Montréal, and the agglomeration of Montréal, the period from 2001 to 2006 was not characterized by such a significant aging of the population. The decrease in demographic weight of those aged 0 to 19 was seen in all regions of Québec, with the exception of the Montréal and Laurentians regions, which were not affected by this trend. 

In fact, we anticipate an increase in the 5-14 age group between now and the year 2026 and 2031, depending on whether we consider the census for CLSC Métro or for the agglomeration of Montréal. Under these conditions, we feel that the demand for recreational and sports activities could rise in the coming years within the territory of the City of Westmount.

Unfortunately, there are no recognized and reliable Canadian standards applicable to recreational and sports facilities. The existing systems of norms and standards, whether in Québec, Canada or the United States, are no longer up to date, and often vary significantly. Therefore, they cannot be considered to be relevant. 

Westmount boasts a generous offer of ice sports facilities in comparison with the average observed in Ville de Montréal and in the agglomeration of Montréal. However, when compared to the facilities that are found in other reconstituted cities, we note that Westmount is below average. In other words, the City of Westmount is less well equipped than the other reconstituted cities in terms of the ice sports offered within its territory.


Table 1: Overview and ratio of publicly and privately owned recreational and sports activities within the agglomeration of Montréal – Ice sports


It is worth noting that a single Arena within the territory of Westmount can accommodate all levels of recreational and athletic practice related to sports activities (introduction, recreation, competition, and excellence), thereby enabling participation in the requisite competitions (local and regional) intended for young participants in these sports. For some, excellence may one day lead to the national and international scenes. 

The indoor Arenas in the City of Westmount are used to capacity. The current configuration of the two Arenas (one standard sized ice surface and one smaller ice surface) offers limited flexibility in terms of programming activities. Since the 2006-2007 season, the number of hours assigned to minor hockey and free skating has increased, while use for adult and school hockey activities has decreased. The hours that are allocated to figure skating have remained stable over the past 4 years. 

The number of young people under the age of 18 who registered for ice sports activities increased by 5.2% from 2006 to 2008, rising from 932 members to 980 members. Figure skating experienced the largest growth, with 460 members in 2009, representing an increase of 10.6% in 3 years. Hockey remained relatively stable. However, an increasing number of young hockey enthusiasts in Westmount are placed on waiting lists. This situation could get worse, because the 5-19 age group increased by 7.6% in the City of Westmount from 2001 to 2006. 

At 27%, the youth participation rate in ice sports among the City of Westmount residents is very high.


Table 2: Participation rate – Ice sports – City of Westmount (2007-2008)


This rate is clearly higher than the average that has been observed in Québec to date. For example, during recent studies involving the territories of Trois-Rivières, Longueuil, Terrebonne, Sherbrooke, and Laval, we noted participation rates in organized sports of 11.4%, 9.9%, 11%, 10% and 9.5% respectively. To the best of our knowledge, only Ville de Boucherville posted a participation rate estimated at 20.8%. 

If we consider the hypothesis that the proportion of young people aged 5-14 and 15-19 in the City of Westmount will remain the same in 2006, 2016, 2026, and 2031 in comparison with CLSC Métro and the agglomeration of Montréal, then the number of young people aged 5 to 19 in the City of Westmount should increase according to the two scenarios. According to the CLSC Métro forecast, the 5-14 age group should increase by 39.7% by 2031, and the 15-19 age group should increase by 1.9 %. The agglomeration forecasts that the youth population in the City of Westmount should increase more moderately for the 5-14 and 15-19 age groups. 

The following table illustrates the number of hours/registration allocated to ice sports organizations within the territory for the years 2009-2010. the City of Westmount allocated a total of 1,824 hours of ice time, for an average ratio of 1.8 hours per registration.


Table 3: Ratio of the number of hours/registration – 2009 – City of Westmount


This ratio is the lowest of those generally observed among municipalities. It is worth noting that many municipalities implement a ratio of between 2.50 and 3 hours per registration per year in ice sports for the various recognized organizations. In fact, ratios in excess of three (3) hours of ice time are recorded for some Québec municipalities. An increase in ice sports clientele in the coming years risks dropping the current ratio even further. 

Future demand for ice sports will largely be the result of the evolution of youth clientele, and that of adult clientele to a lesser extent, the maintenance of the participation rate, and the number of hours of ice time the municipality intends to allocate to supporting the development of these recreational and sports activities in the coming years. As mentioned earlier, we believe that it is very likely that demand in terms of ice sports will remain stable, and will even increase in the coming years (30 years). Therefore, this situation risks placing constant pressure on ice sports facilities in the City of Westmount. 

Unlike many other Québec municipalities, interventions pertaining to recreation and sports within the territory of the City of Westmount target not only its youth clientele, but also physical activities for adults. 

In conclusion, we can confirm that demand for participation in existing programs designed for young people and in adult programs significantly exceeds the capacity of the existing facilities. 

The increasing number of young people and adults is a major indicator of the value of these recreational and athletic activities within the territory of the City of Westmount. In order to respect the standards imposed by sports federations, the City of Westmount will have no choice but to significantly increase the number of hours of ice time per registration. 

An additional Arena would make it possible to:

• offer programs that respond to the new requirements;
• eliminate waiting lists;
• secure ice time in order to develop new programs.

In terms of aquatic activities, there is only one outdoor swimming pool within the territory of Westmount, compared with one outdoor swimming pool per 13,000 residents, according to our control indicator. In other words, the City of Westmount is less equipped in terms of outdoor swimming facilities within its territory compared to the averages observed in Québec. This offer is even less favorable compared to the average observed in reconstituted cities. The offer in terms of outdoor swimming facilities is similar to that of Ville de Montréal (see the following table).


Table 4: Inventory and ratio of outdoor swimming pools – aquatic activities - Westmount

In terms of indoor aquatic activities, there is one indoor swimming pool within the territory of Westmount, for a ratio of one swimming pool for every 20,494 residents, compared with one outdoor swimming pool for every 27,000 residents, according to our control indicator. In other words, Ville de Westmount is well equipped in terms of indoor aquatic activities within its territory compared with the averages observed in Québec. This offer is similar to the average observed in the reconstituted cities.


Table 5: Inventory and ratio of indoor swimming pools – aquatic activities – Westmount

The project that was devised by the Lemay architects under the supervision of Ville de Westmount corresponds to the level of demand in terms of ice sports. The plans appear to comply with the regulations and traditions that are observed in this area. The facilities appear to be well designed, and the skating rinks correspond to conventional sizing standards of 85' x 200'. 

In terms of aquatic activities, we are reiterating our observation that the surface area of the outdoor swimming pool should be increased to a minimum of 625 m² of water surface, or in other words, a 25-metre swimming pool with 10 lanes, with the addition of space for diving boards. The recreational swimming pool could also be expanded. Furthermore, this facility should include at least three locker rooms, with one set aside as a family room. Finally, the decks could be widened in order to accommodate the space required for the installation of portable grandstands for the organization of sports events.