Latest Activity!

The Recreation & Leisure Sector completed the Tobacco Free Outdoor Sports and Recreation Areas packages. These packages include resources and policy supports to assist in the development, adoption and implementation of Tobacco Free Sports and Recreation Policy. These helpful packages are being distributed to all Recreation & Leisure Directors in Windsor-Essex County.

About the Recreation & Leisure SectorThis is a picture of the W F C U center.

The Recreation & Leisure Sector encompasses a variety of recreational facilities, programs and services, such as municipal recreation facilities and the YMCA. The Recreation & Leisure Sector is in a unique position to encourage healthy lifestyles by providing opportunities for the community to be active and promoting healthy policies. The Recreation & Leisure Sector is uniquely positioned to impact policy change, leading to a reduction in chronic disease, mental illness and injury in health organizations and residents of Windsor-Essex County.

Current Recreation & Leisure Sector Policy Initiatives

To reduce Windsor-Essex residents’ exposure to tobacco use in outdoor sports and recreation facilities through advocacy for local by-laws prohibiting smoking in outdoor sports and recreation areas.

To improve nutrition in Windsor-Essex County through the adoption and implementation of Eat Smart! program in recreation facilities.

Recreation & Leisure Sector Main Objective

Support, develop and implement healthy policies in the recreation facilities, services and programs.

  • Smoke Free Initiative

The Town of LaSalle is the first municipality in Windsor and Essex County to adopt an outdoor smoke free policy. The Town of LaSalle, Culture and Recreation Department, volunteered to pilot this initiative and to share the expertise and experience with the other municipalities. Council approved a no smoking by-law at Vollmer sports fields. The resolution reads: Council at its meeting held April 27, 2010 passed the following resolution:

“That Council APPROVE Phase 1 of the Designated Smoking Areas at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex, including the installation of “no smoking signs” around the perimeter of the soccer fields with adjustments to signs regarding limitations and areas.”

  • Eat Smart Initiative

Municipalities in Windsor and County of Essex are currently investigating and working toward certification for their facilities to become "Eat Smart".

The Eat Smart!® Recreation Centre Program supports healthy environments by qualifying recreation centres that offer healthier food choices in the snack bar and vending machines; packaged products are evaluated using the Eat Smart!® Choices Calculator to determine whether or not they meet the Eat Smart!® nutrition criteria;

Now you can find healthier food and beverage choices in recreation centres. Look for the Eat Smart!® symbol in vending machines and snack bars.

Policy Examples

Here are a few policy examples that you can promote, advocate, adopt and implement as a key influencer in this sector.

  • Adopt policies that foster inclusion of under-served groups by regularly examining user fees or by creating recreation subsidies for families with financial needs.
  • Adopt policies that promote and support the availability of affordable nutritious food choices.
  • Adopt policies that promote the use of indoor/outdoor space to encourage physical activity such as configuring indoor space for exercise breaks in meetings and programs, and providing maps of nearby routes for walks on lunch and breaks.
  • Adopt policies that promote and support the availability of affordable nutritious food choices.
  • Implement policies that reduce barriers to participation in physical activity such as scheduling priorities, facility design, program offerings, corporate culture, safety and transportation issues.