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City hall’s aquatics department has banned children older than three from entering opposite-gender change rooms, a policy tweak that will surely complicate many family trips to public pools.
The city sought to clarify the change amid “questions about change-room access for families with young children” — and plenty of anger from parents.
“Families with children over the age of 3 are asked not to take them into change rooms of the opposite gender,” the city wrote on its Facebook page Sunday. “This is based on feedback from our users and their comfort level with these situations.
“Most of our newer facilities have universal change-room options available for family use.”
Not all do, however, city officials note.
“Families are asked to work with our friendly staff so that everyone’s experience at the pool can be an enjoyable one.”
The policy change drew harsh criticism online. One Londoner, Sucram Rebot, summed up the concerns of many in his Facebook comment.
“Pretty stupid if you ask me,” Rebot wrote. “If you don’t have universal change rooms at all the facilities, you shouldn’t enforce this. I would never let my three-year-old out of my sight.”
Added Sara Marie: “So you’re validating an absurd adult’s discomfort with three year olds somehow harming them while getting changed, over the three year old’s comfort being with their safe parent or getting changed with any speed?”
Coun. Mo Salih indicated he’s looking into the policy.
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