Mum blasts leisure centre changing rule
PARENTS have blasted a leisure centre’s policy banning boys aged eight and over from the female changing facilities.
Romiley Life Leisure has rules which stop mothers bringing their sons to get changed in the women’s area.
The swimming pool does not have a family changing area, meaning boys aged eight and over have to get changed on their own in the male changing rooms.
Bosses at Life Leisure say the policy has been in place for many years at all its pools and it complies with national and industry guidelines on safeguarding, and follows industry standard practice.
They say they follow guidelines from a variety of sources, including the Child Protection in Sport Unit, Amateur Swimming Association, and Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport & Physical Activity.
But frustrated mums have complained to the leisure centre claiming it is ‘disgusting’ and does not safeguard children.
The same rule bans girls aged eight and over from changing in the men’s area, with parents arguing family changing facilities are needed in both areas.
Eileen Best, 49, of Romiley, has a son who turns eight this year and said it would be impossible for him to get changed and showered without any help.
She said: “I am hopeful there will be some sort of solution. He is an only child with no older siblings to help out. We are also a same sex family with two mums.
“Fionn has been going since he was three for lessons. He absolutely loves it, we like to teach him there.
“I wouldn’t be happy for him to be in any changing room on his own with any adults.”
One mum, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I had already paid and gone to the changing rooms. There was no way on earth I would send him there on his own.
“With him being eight I don’t want him to go in the male changing rooms on his own. I can’t safeguard my son being in the male changing rooms.”
A spokesman for Life Leisure said their safeguarding policy is sourced from several sporting bodies.
He said: “The changing room policy has been in place for many years at all Life Leisure facilities.
“In circumstances where a child suffers from a disability, we try to accommodate customers with an alternative option where possible.
“As an organisation we are proud to have a long history of supporting individuals with disabilities and we will continue to work with all our customers to ensure we provide the best opportunities for them to keep active and take part in physical activity.”