Splash Palace is getting some extra attention by the Invercargill City Council, after a vocal meeting by concerned members of the community raising about the changing rooms.
Invercargill media and the council staff got a surprise when they arrived at the Southalive Pod meeting room last Thursday, to find a passionate group of about 100 people concerned that females who weren’t born females were still able to use their changing rooms.
Nobby Clark understood that this wasn’t an anti-transgender issue, but more that the parents were concerned sexual predators could take advantage.
The issue has been gaining momentum nationally, and many cities around the world have already changed their public facilities to include LBGTQ + spaces.
A report was to be discussed at a council meeting in mid-June, and those affected also invited to speak in the public forum.
But the Mayor has since now said the issue would be given more urgent attention. He said it was more of an operational matter rather than a governance issue.
Taking into consideration the ‘rainbow’ community, the family changing rooms will be renamed with appropriate signage so they have a safe space.
Staff will also be more aware of people who shouldn’t be using women’s changing rooms to make it safer for mothers and their children.
“Those people have always been there but it’s more highlighted now.”
Anybody breaching the rules will be asked to leave and police will be called if necessary.
“It’s about protecting women’s rights so there is a space for them and their children.
“We’re not breaching the Human Rights Act so long as we provide a space for the other groups, and there is a whole lot of them now.”
UPDATED: May 25:
Statement from the Mayor Nobby Clark:
Over the last fortnight there has been considerable debate over the usage of the different change rooms at Splash Palace and who has access to each area.
I have spoken with the respective groups, reviewed the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) and spoken with the pool management.
I have come to the following conclusions:
1. All the groups have a suitable change area.
2. The current Family change cubicles are currently labelled as Family & disabled changing rooms. The area will be relabelled to be confirm it is available for all users looking for a private cubicle.
3. Female, Male change areas and school areas (Males/Females) will remain the same for sole use by those groups.
If anyone is uncomfortable with others in their change area or are subject to any inappropriate behaviour, they need to report their concern immediately to the facility supervisor, who is trained on how to deal with any concerns.