In recent years, our relationship with work has undergone a major transformation. While performance remains a priority, it is now accompanied by a quest for well-being, balance and a stimulating environment. Companies wishing to attract – and, above all, retain – talent have clearly understood this: offering an inspiring, lively workspace has become a real strategic lever.
Among the most innovative new trends, the integration of a multisport field on a rooftop stands out for its originality and efficiency. This is exactly what Espaces Waverly is proposing at its Mile Ex complex in Montreal: a reinvented rooftop, somewhere between a skating rink in winter and a basketball court in summer, to promote cohesion, physical and mental health, and the pleasure of working differently.
1. When sport meets the world of work
Sport has always been associated with values prized in the workplace: team spirit, discipline, motivation, surpassing oneself. But making it a physical and concrete part of everyday business life, as proposed by a rooftop pitch, is a resolutely contemporary idea.
This trend responds to several challenges in today’s world of work:
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The sedentary lifestyle of workers, amplified by telecommuting and long hours in front of the screen.
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The need to socialize after years of isolation or working remotely.
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Work-related stress, for which physical activity is a proven remedy.
Offering a directly accessible sports field in the workplace gives teams the means to get moving, meet up and release pressure – without leaving the company.
2. The Espaces Waverly multisport field: a unique concept
Located in the heart of Mile Ex, one of Montreal’s most creative neighborhoods, Espaces Waverly takes the experience far beyond simple offices. Its rooftop site is a perfect illustration of its philosophy: to offer a complete, lively workplace adapted to modern needs.
A year-round rooftop
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In summer, the roof is transformed into a basketball or multisport court: ideal for friendly matches between colleagues, corporate tournaments, or simply active lunch breaks.
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In winter, the space becomes an outdoor skating rink, offering the opportunity to organize original activities such as boot field hockey, free skating, or even festive cocktails on ice.
A space integrated into professional life
The field is designed to fit in with work schedules: easy to access, it invites members to use it before work, during a break or after a busy day. It’s a way to break the routine without wasting time on travel.
3. Concrete benefits for employees
a) Physical health
One of the most direct effects of access to sport in the workplace is the positive impact on fitness:
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Improved cardiovascular fitness.
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Reduces sedentary-related pain (neck, back, shoulders).
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Better posture and flexibility.
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Light but regular muscle strengthening.
And unlike a conventional gym, the rooftop area has the advantage of being outdoors, which multiplies the benefits: fresh air, natural light, unobstructed views over the city – a real energy shot.
b) Mental Health
Playing sports outdoors, on a rooftop, is also good for the mind:
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Reduced stress and anxiety.
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Quick disconnection from professional tensions.
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Improved concentration and productivity after exercise.
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A feeling of freedom and escape, even in the middle of the working day.
The cognitive benefits of an active break have been proven: it improves executive functions, stimulates creativity and enables you to return to your tasks with fresh eyes.
c) Strengthening team bonds
The collective aspect of the field is essential. It becomes a place for spontaneous encounters, an informal space where colleagues from different departments can interact in ways other than by e-mail or in Zoom meetings.
Activities such as a basketball game or a dek field hockey tournament :
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Create human links that go beyond functions.
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Ease potential tensions or conflicts.
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Foster collective intelligence and collaboration.
4. A strategic asset for companies
a) Recruitment and retention
Companies looking for talent know that today, the criteria for choosing an employer go far beyond salary. The work environment, flexibility and tangible quality-of-life benefits all play an important role.
A space like Espaces Waverly’s, with its rooftop sports facilities, becomes a powerful argument for attracting demanding profiles, particularly in the creative, technological or innovative sectors.
b) Employer branding
Welcoming candidates or partners to a venue as original as this sports rooftop immediately sets the tone: this is a company that cares about well-being, that puts the emphasis on people, and that dares to think outside the box.
This conveys a modern, dynamic and forward-looking image – perfectly in tune with the expectations of new generations of workers.
c) Events and team building
The site can also be used as a platform for events:
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Inter-company tournaments.
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After-work tournaments
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Team challenges.
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Wellness workshops (outdoor yoga, cardio training).
These are key moments for strengthening team spirit, building employee loyalty and keeping the corporate culture alive.
5. Trends and prospects: the office reinvented
The idea of a sports field on a roof may seem marginal, but it’s part of a broader trend: that of the reinvented office, where work, well-being and social life cohabit in the same place.
Other major cities such as Paris, Toronto and New York are seeing similar projects flourish: active rooftops, urban farms, sports studios integrated into workspaces. The office is no longer a place where you endure your day, but a hybrid and stimulating living space.
In this context, Espaces Waverly is positioning itself as a pioneer in Quebec with its rooftop multisport field, which anticipates tomorrow’s needs while meeting today’s expectations.
Conclusion: a sports rooftop, a profitable investment
Far from being a mere gadget, the rooftop multisport pitch is a real answer to modern workplace challenges: health, commitment, sustainable performance.
Giving employees the means to move, breathe and connect in new ways fosters a strong corporate culture, closer-knit teams, and a collective energy that is reflected in results.
For companies that want to move beyond the traditional office, the Espaces Waverly model is a concrete, forward-looking source of inspiration. Because innovation is not just about technology, it’s also about the basketball court on the roof.