Privacy concerns at pool’s unisex changing rooms

AROUND 1,000 people have backed a campaign for greater privacy at a Cardiff leisure centre pool over concerns about voyeurism at its unisex changing area.

A petition, handed in to Cardiff council last week, calls for separate male and female changing areas at the Star Hub in Splott, which replaced the popular Splott swimming pool when it opened in 2016.

Campaigners say they are concerned about potential voyeurism in the current unisex changing rooms – and that the cubicle doors are not large enough to give people privacy.

The company which manages the Star Hub says it has received no complaints about its changing rooms – and also has not received any petitions.

Splott resident Bernie Breen, who along with husband, Anthony, started the petition, is calling for separate male and female changing rooms, and another unisex room for families.

She said: “They need to be separate because there is not enough staff to keep an eye on everybody.

“People have told me they complained. They wanted it back like it used to be.”

It is not clear whether any formal complaints about voyeurism at the Star Hub have been made to the police.

Councillor Sue Lent said: “It’s important that everyone feels safe in changing areas. Ideally, a range of facilities should be provided, including totally separate male and female areas.”

Better Cardiff, which manages the Star Hub, said unisex changing areas are more family friendly and would avoid embarrassment for parents.

“We have not received any petition or complaints about our changing facilities at the Star Hub. We would, of course, look at any petition and its contents carefully as the views of our customers are very important to us.

“Sporting bodies in Wales and England state that swimming pool changing areas designed as a ‘village changing’ unisex area with individual cubicles are preferable and safer than single sex facilities.

“Village changing minimises any perceived sense of insecurity for sensitive users by well-designed changing rooms that offer privacy through adequatelysized, good-quality cubicles, including lockable shower cubicles.

“Village changing unisex areas provide greater flexibility to accommodate varying mixes of male and female users, including family changing and changing for people with disabilities.

“For example, if there are more women than men using the pool, they can be better accommodated in a village area.

“Changing villages are much more family friendly and avoids the embarrassment of parents having to take children into the ‘wrong’ sex changing rooms.

“They also provide flexibility to allow staff of either sex to supervise, clean and maintain the areas.”

South Wales Police has been contacted for comment.