I wrote to Chris Jones, Programme Director Kingfisher Leisure Centre today about the new Kingfisher Leisure Centre design for single sex changing facilities, a campaign close to my heart as mum of two girls ...
Dear Chris
It was wonderful to meet you last week at the Kingfisher Consultation.
A huge congratulations for your MBE awarded in this year's first King’s New Years Honour List for your highly acclaimed work at Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games Sandwell Aquatics Centre.
I would like to confirm my question and seek your written reassurance please around single sex changing spaces for women and girls so that women feel safe and girls safeguarding is paramount - which as a mother of girls is a campaign close to my heart.
Many thanks for confirming your understanding on this sensitive subject.
Kind regards and thank you for all your hard work.
Helen Edward | Parliamentary Candidate Kingston & Surbiton
3 Bridle Cl, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2JW
Read my reply received today here
Dear Helen,
Many thanks for taking the time to come along to one of the public exhibitions, and apologies for the delay in coming back to you whilst we hosted the final sessions at the end of the week.
To confirm, single sex changing spaces will be available as part of the project.
For the wet sport activities, individual cubicle and family changing spaces will be available, and these will be gender neutral similar to many modern leisure facilities. The group changing area has been designed to be flexible, providing not only changing areas for groups (eg school swimming lessons) but also single sex changing.
For the dry sport activities, the changing spaces will be provided as single sex group changing accommodation, complete with individual changing and shower cubicles. Single sex toilets will also be located within each of these group changing rooms.
These facilities will of course be delivered alongside Changing Places facilities, accessible toilets, ambulant accessible toilets, and accessible changing cubicles in both the wet and dry sports areas for those that need them.
Many thanks
Chris
Transform Kingston Project Team
