Verdun launches initiative hooking residents up with winter activity gear

Verdun hooking residents up with winter sport gear Verdun is launching a new initiative called Box Up to hook people up with gear for winter activities.

The frigid temperatures mean its now winter sports season — but not everyone has access to the equipment needed to participate.

Montreal's Verdun borough wants to change that by launching a new initiative called “Box Up.”

"We want our people to stay active, but we also are really sensible about the fact that our community is really diverse," says Verdun councillor Celine-Audrey Beauregard. "So the cost of material is increasing and you know, there's so much activity that you can do in the winter. So it's also a matter of like we want people to move locally, but we also want to we don't want a payment to be a barrier."

Skates and snowshoes are all offered for free, and it’s a simple as downloading an app, which will allow users to have access to equipment for three hours.

A Verdun resident told CTV News she liked the initiative and could see how it would save people money.

"My daughter got skates, used, second hand. We bought helmets. The whole thing costs like $250. If I had tried skating and went, that didn't really work. I'm out $250. That's a lot of money," she said.

Box Up has a few locations around Montreal, including St. Leonard and now Verdun.

The items offered vary in size, and the councillor says it’s a good option for anyone wanting to try a winter sport for the first time.

"Nowadays, our winters are so different from one day to another. So it's also a matter of like, you know, today it's a great day," says Beauregard.

"I don't have the material, but here you go. I download the app, I take the material. It's good for three hours. It's more flexible.”