Communal Changing Rooms

[badgeroncaffeine]

In my area there is a big controversy raging about the proposed installment of communal changing rooms in a leisure centre. It's on the TV now.
The woman in this article is leading the objections and seems a bit nuts to me.
Now am I right in thinking that although a bit of sex takes place in such facilities (allegedly), they are preferable on the whole?

[sashh]

These have been around for years, many advantages such as family cubicles that can hold two parents and 4 kids. Single cubicles and all points in between.

My carer is male, would anyone be happy with him accompanying me into the ladies changing room?

[NewAtThisMalarky]

Our old pool had separate changing areas.

Our new pool has unisex cubicles.

Unisex cubicles is the way to go. So much easier for families, no hanging around the 'wrong' changing area hoping your 7yo son is ok and managing on his own.

[exoticfruits]

The whole article is misleading. They are not communal, they are unisex and all the pools that I go to are like that and have been for 20 years!
They are much better- it saves all the argument about sending 7yr old boys into the men's changing rooms because they either go in with you or the one next to you.
Cleethorpes is way behind the times!
And they are not a hot bed of sex and paedophiles! Having a huge traffic of both genders and all ages must curtail their activities.

[MrsBungle]

Our local pool has centre parcs style 'village' unisex changing rooms. Loads of cubicles. It's much easier with kids. I don't understand any objection to them. If I'm wearing a swimming costume folks are going to see my fat arse in the swimming pool as much as they will see it when I walk into my cubicle and shut the door.

[OwlinaTree]

They have this at our local baths, cubicles round the outside and lockers in the middle. Think the toilets are separate tho. Showers are poolside. There are group change for the schools.

Seems to work.

[ParadiseChick]

In our country every local authority pool has had indeed changing for the past 20 years. Why on earth is it controversial or even up for debate? It's straight forward, easier for everyone.

[QueenofLouisiana]

Our local pools have unisex changing cubicles- much easier for taking DS swimming. It also means that when I take my Yr5s swimming at school I know that they are all safe, irrespective of gender.
I've beenusing the pool for about 15 years & never encountered anyone having sex! must try going at a different time actually, there's no visible nudity at all, because it is so open.

[NeverBeenToMe]

Splash Landings at Alton Towers also has unisex cubicles.

My local pool has male, female, and family changing rooms.

Doesn't really bother me either way.

[nulgirl]

Oh and Centreparcs that bastion of middle-class values have communal changing cubicles. That lady in the article just sounds a bit nutty and like she has far too much time on her hands.

[nulgirl]

I didn't realise single sex facilities still existed. All the pools around here have unisex facilities. It's great as we can all get changed together as there are lots of family sized cubicles.

Never seen any evidence of sex in the cubicles. I'll do a Miss Marple and keep my eyes peeled

[Brownowlahi]

Our local pool has separate male and female changing rooms and it is a complete PITA. It does my head in. I end up with the 2 girls, DH gets ds. We get to choose, either the communal (female only) area, or all try to squish into a small cubicle with a shower curtain type thing that doesn't close properly. Seriously, I don't know why I put myself through it. The new pool in the next town along has a lovely mixed changing room with family sized cubicles. We should go there more often (except its always really busy, because everyone likese the lovely changing rooms). I'm clearly visiting at the wrong times though as I never knew people had sex there...

[mrstigs]

Most pools we go to have unisex changing. In fact I think they all do round here. Much much easier to all go in one cubicle together as a family to get ready (I have three children and the two youngest are girls, so if we split down the sexes I'd be at a disadvantage). My children are in a cubicle safely away from the prying eyes of the infamous swimming pool peedo and the only person who sees me naked is my husband (and I assure you he's seen it all before, in much less flattering circumstances). I honestly don't see the problem?

[gordyslovesheep]

unisex changing - with all cubicles - can't see the issue :)

[MrsMook]

I've used a few pools with unisex changing. No problem and definately easier for families. There isn't any public nudity. The cubicles are much more private in design than in single sex ones I've used. What is it about 70s pools and their skimpy little doors at chest height?

I'm happy with communal in a single sex area- I tend to prefer it to a dark claustrophobic cubicle.

My local pool is very dated and a bit grim. Last time we went we used a communal "family" room. Bit odd getting changed in front of another family's father.

[maddening]

If there were still single facilities and the unisex facilities were just cubicles ie no open area then I would agree it is preferable to have unisex cubicles but I would not like to take my child through an open unisex changing room or get changed there or shower there.

It works well at a local pool near me - a few unisex large family cubicles accessed from both the male and female changing rooms.

But whether it is preferable in this instance depends on the design.

[Oldraver]

I havn't been to Oasis in Swindon for 20 odd years but they had a huge room men one side women the other and family changing in the middle, all cubicles apart form a small communal bit on (I presume) each side. So this is nothing new

[TSSDNCOP]

If there's a door on my cubicle I don't see the problem. It's no different to the Family changing room at my gym.

I can't see people having their "hands in the air" as the article woman says as surely that will mean their towels fall down?

On a serious note I would think a potential paedophile will be very deterred by trying it on under the beady eye of a bunch of mothers. I wouldn't rate his life chances very highly.

[Szeli]

Communal makes it far easier when we take the wee one swimming...

[badgeroncaffeine]

hahahaha...you're so funny!

[SauvignonBlanche]

Maybe reduce the caffeine OP?

[badgeroncaffeine]

gordy I made a mistake and corrected that mistake, get over it.

[gordyslovesheep]

okay then

you seem very cross OP - maybe you need to take a deep breath and have a wine - seriously I have no idea why you are so offended by my posts

[MrsHofstader]

I don't like the idea of communal changing but unisex cubicles sound great.

[badgeroncaffeine]

gordy...I've made it clear I meant unisex changing rooms...with cubicles. Please forgive me my error!

[WafflyVersatile]

Maybe the woman heading up the campaign thinks they will be communal as well as unisex and that's why she is up in arms?


I don't think a few cubicles is enough, dirty. I think a lot of people would be uncomfortable with unisex communal changing.