Yes, I agree, Kirsty, safety does come first (Gazette, Your Views, Aug. 11).
We all take care of our children and try not to cause harm to others.
You may have skimmed through my letter, too – I never said that your mother suggested she allowed kids to stare! However, that is just water in the swimming pool!
So your husband is willing to take your daughter in the men’s changing room! I think a few men might be a little surprised (exception the outdoor pool – I was talking Fountain Park).
But thinking about the tone of your letter, maybe we should become the first major city with unisex changing rooms at a public, indoor swimming facility – get rid of the women’s, men’s and family – (perhaps have a religious section with dividers) but wait, isn’t a family change space unisex?
No, I am not ashamed of my body – I have even been to a naturist resort a few times! Hope you give it a try if you haven't already.
In the meantime, I must point out that if you ask a good number of women over 50 if they mind if a larger boy four to five years old, unrelated to them, watches them as they change in the women’s changing room, or a man over 50 wants a four- or five-year-old girl in the men’s changing room, looking at them, you may be surprised at the response.
I feel we need to be aware of the feelings of everyone in society – by the time a child has reached four to five years old, he/she is very conscious of their bodies and takes a lot of interest in the bodies around them. A little respect for the feelings of others is not too much to ask.
As you know, there are not many stalls at Fountain Park. In fact, we need another pool! We need more space because as society develops, more older people will be using the pools – we are the fastest growing demographic – it is time we are given consideration!
Elizabeth Allchin, St. Albert
