I have been hearing about some objections recently to the plans for Edmonton’s new Queen Elizabeth pool.
Now, I have not seen the proposed plans, but from what I have heard it sounds very similar to plans for facilities in Europe that I had seen at a conference a few years ago.
Some of the objections I have heard people cite about the Queen Elizabeth Pool are legitimate concerns, if the design is not done properly. If done properly these issues would not exist.
Based on what I saw for a design of a universal change room, I felt that it would be a very efficient design. I encouraged one of my former employers to seriously consider this design for a pool change room.
The way this concept was laid out, you would pay then go into a change stall that had doors on both sides. If one door opened, the other door would automatically open.
You would change, then take your clothes and place them in a locker. The locker area was designed in such a way that it was open to the pool deck area. This would allow the lifeguards, and the swimmers to be able to look into the locker area from the pool deck. It would significantly reduce, if not eliminate, theft from lockers.
On the sides of the large pool change room you would have showers and segregated toilets.
Some of the concerns that I have heard voiced include: how long you would be waiting in such a change room?
Many of us have been in family change rooms where things move rather slowly, part of this is due to the fact that the original family change room design included a shower and change area all in one room.
By having a separate shower area and dry change areas, you will speed people up in the change areas (similar to the dry change stalls in a segregated change room).
Another concern that I have heard is that of people doing inappropriate things in such a change room.
With the entire change room being open to the pool deck it will actually discourage this kind of behaviour even more so than in segregated change rooms. For those concerned with what goes on inside the stalls, if the stalls are designed as stalls with a 30-45cm gap near the floor, rather than rooms, this will not be an issue.
I feel that the children will actually be much safer in this style change room than a segregated one.
Another concern that I have heard is about pool staffing and how this style design would ultimately increase staffing levels. I do not agree with this.
If it is designed as mentioned above, I feel that staffing levels could remain as they are, with the added benefit that it would not matter what gender your staff are. They would all be able to clean the change room, which is always an issue in aquatic facilities.
Provided there are an adequate number of change stalls at the Queen E Pool, there should be no issues with excessive wait times.
I’ve worked in the pool industry for quite a while, having been a lifeguard since 1991. I have worked at various facilities across western Canada and continue to work at aquatic facilities, not only as a lifeguard, but also as a supervisor.
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7 comments
Rafal says:
Apr 8, 2009
I have used change rooms like this in Europe. And honestly, everything was fine. Nobody had any problems. It’s the people that are afraid of change that are creating all these obstacles and problems.
Justin Jackson says:
Apr 8, 2009
We use the family change rooms with our 3 little ones at the Tri-Leisure facility in Spruce Grove. I think it’s good concept overall; though the design in Spruce Grove often results in congestion (and waiting). If it’s designed well, I think it’s a good idea.
Crystal Saffel says:
Apr 9, 2009
How many family change rooms does the Tri-Leisure facility have?
Crystal Saffel says:
Apr 9, 2009
Family style change rooms will continue to increase in demand, due to the apparent increase in birthrate currently happening in the Edmonton area. Because of this, I feel that this is a great way to design any new facilities that are being built.
Micheal says:
Apr 14, 2009
I am from Europe and agree that It is a very common and problem free thing there, but we are living in a land of pedophiles…North America can hardly be compared to europe
Crystal Saffel says:
Apr 14, 2009
which is exactly why I would prefer to have a univeral change room design, as that way mothers can stay with their boys, and not send them into a men’s change room on their own with the pedophiles that you mentioned.
Alain says:
Apr 15, 2009
We’re living in a land of pedophiles? What a load of crap. You make it seem as if that’s all anyone’s up to here.
Sure it’s a problem here, but I suspect it’s just as much of a problem in Europe as it is in the rest of the world.
I agree with Crystal that if kids can stay with their parents, they’re much safer. Anyone have any stats on attacks on children in pool facilities? You’d think it’d be a tremendous problem in this “land of pedophiles” and there should be some crime stats to back it up.