The Dojokai Club, a partner with l’Acadie Recreation, offers courses in karate to district residents. (Photo: Martin Alarie)
Activities to get into shape
This winter, recreational organizations in Bordeaux-Cartierville are offering activities for all tastes. Whether it is a piano workshop or a course in aerobics, there is something available to get into shape or keep busy with at minimal cost. Registration takes place January 15, 16 and 17.
L’Acadie Recreation Director Hélène Marceau notes that sports activities offered to children age five to 12 are very popular. "It has reached the point where basketball, soccer, cosom hockey, table tennis and mini-volleyball groups are always full," she said
François Tousignant, coordinator of Sainte-Odile Recreation Service confirms this interest. "Throughout these courses, in addition to being introduced to the sport with free play, participants have the possibility of qualifying for the Montreal Games," he said.
To respond to this popularity, the Sainte-Odile Recreation Service decided to offer soccer and cosom hockey courses on the weekend. All activities offered by the Sainte-Odile Recreation Service take place at Sainte-Odile School (12055 Dépatie Street).
Partnerships
Different partnerships are developing with various organizations. For example, the Dojokai Club, a partner with l’Acadie Recreation, is giving karate courses to district residents. Several children, who began their new session last week, shared their interest for the martial arts with the Courrier Bordeaux-Cartierville.
"It is the only sport which really interests me, more than fencing,� said Camille, a 12-year-old karate expert who has been practicing since age six. “I like the movements with karate. They enable me to be stronger and defend myself, if need be. It gives me concentration and more confidence."
The mother of one participant confided to the Courrier that her daughter wanted to be registered in a karate course to be like "Mulan," her favorite Walt Disney film cartoon character.
Sainte-Odile Recreation Service and l’Acadie Recreation also offer adults a range of cultural, sport and community activities.
For several years, popular courses have been painting, aerobics and badminton, according to Marceau. The massage workshop and getting moms in shape, accompanied by their babies, is also well liked. Activities organized by l’Acadie Recreation take place at Centre l’Acadie (2005 Victor-Doré Street).
This year, Sainte-Odile Recreation Service is offering self-defence and electric guitar courses for adults. "It is hoped that these new courses will function well,� said Tousignant. “The self-defence course was suggested to us by our taï chi professor. For guitar, we wish to offer a complement to the traditional guitar." (Translated by Michael Beigleman)
Météo: Montréal, 18 juillet 2008 / 21°C
/ Couvert
/ Vents: 13 Km/h / Humidité relative: 88 % 
par Véronique Leduc 
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
