Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

In an innovative collaboration, Loisir Sport Outaouais and the Direction de la santé publique en
Outaouais have launched a unique initiative designed to address the challenges faced by rural
municipalities in providing public recreational services. The project involves eight municipalities,
selected for their potential to create sustainable solutions while addressing the specific needs of
communities grappling with poverty and remoteness.

Municipalities such as Pontiac, Low and La Pêche (Lac-des-Loups sector) are participating in
the pilot phase of the program, which aims to explore ways to improve and enhance local
recreational services. The process begins with an introductory meeting to allow local leaders to
understand the project’s goals and its potential benefits. The next step involves filling out a
detailed questionnaire, which will help identify the municipality’s challenges regarding public
recreation. The questionnaire must be completed by a team consisting of a leisure department
representative, the general management, and the municipal official responsible for recreation.

Normand Veillette, a key development agent for the initiative, explains that the goal is not just to
identify problems, but to actively tackle them through structured planning. “The goal is to create
a clear path forward for municipalities, focusing on long-term solutions,” he said. “Once the
questionnaire is complete, we’ll prioritize two or three key issues that will be addressed through
a customized service offer and action plan.” Veillette emphasized that Loisir Sport Outaouais
and the health department will provide continuous support to ensure the municipalities’
successful implementation of these plans.

The initiative is designed to have long-lasting impacts, not only for the municipalities directly
involved but also for the future of rural community development in the region. “We’re not just
looking at solving immediate problems but building a foundation that can support municipalities
in the future,” Veillette noted. “The feedback we get from residents and local organizations will
be critical in shaping these solutions.”

The project also aims to measure success through a variety of indicators, including the number
of residents who benefit from the improved recreational services. The involvement of the
community is paramount, with residents expected to engage through surveys, focus groups, and
discussions about their needs and satisfaction with local recreational services.

One challenge faced by many rural municipalities is the limited financial resources available to
address these issues. Veillette acknowledged that finding the necessary funding to implement
long-term changes could be difficult. “While we provide guidance and support, the municipalities
will need to secure funding for the solutions we develop together,” he said.

Despite these obstacles, the project offers hope for rural municipalities to build sustainable
recreational infrastructures. As Veillette concludes, “Our goal is to ensure that, in the future, ​
municipalities will have concrete plans in place for public recreation that will continue to benefit
residents for years to come.”

For more information about the initiative consult their website: https://www.urlso.qc.ca/une-
demarche-innovante-pour-les-municipalites-rurales-en-outaouais/

Photo: Normand Veillette, a key development agent for the Démarche de développement des
loisirs publics en milieu rural initiative, highlighted that the project is designed to create
sustainable, long-term solutions for rural municipalities by providing tailored support and
fostering community involvement in improving public recreation services. (TF) Photo: Courtesy
of Loisir Sport Outaouais