An incident at Gungahlin Leisure Centre involving a man entering the women's change room with his young daughter has sparked intense community debate over appropriate behaviour in gendered public spaces. The event has also raised broader questions about the availability of suitable family facilities at sports and recreation venues across Canberra.
Incident Details and Community Reaction
The issue came to light on Tuesday night when Debi Tynan, along with other patrons, lodged a complaint with Gungahlin Leisure Centre. Tynan reported feeling uncomfortable after her aquatics class when she discovered a man was in a shower cubicle with his toddler daughter.
She described encountering three women in the communal change space near the cubicles - a young girl, a woman wearing only a towel who appeared "very distressed", and a teenage girl. These individuals informed Tynan about the man's presence in the women's facilities.
Confrontation and Explanation
Tynan stated that she knocked on the cubicle door, saw the man and his daughter, and informed him he couldn't be in the women's change room. She claimed he responded in what she described as an "aggressive" manner before explaining his reasoning.
The man reportedly told Tynan he used the women's facilities because the family change rooms were occupied. He expressed concern about taking his daughter into the men's room, fearing that "dirty old men" might look at the girl.
"I said, 'I hear you, but this isn't the appropriate space'," Tynan told The Canberra Times. "There is a family room, and he said, 'What do you expect me to do, wait?' And I said, 'Yes, you wait'."
Broader Implications and Safety Concerns
Following the incident, multiple complaints were made to Gungahlin Leisure Centre staff, which have been passed to management for further review. Tynan, who identifies as a survivor of sexual assault, emphasized her passion for ensuring women have safe spaces.
"This has all reminded me that safety for women is a divisive community issue," Tynan said regarding the reception to her social media post about the incident.
She highlighted what she sees as the core problem: "It's also shown that the pools should have better policy for change rooms, and if they don't have family rooms, then hustle and get them built. Lobby the ACT Legislative Assembly to get some funding."
Social Media Debate and Community Perspectives
Tynan posted about the incident on the "Canberra Notice Board" social media page, where her post received approximately 1,000 interactions before being removed after some exchanges were reported to administrators.
The public comments revealed a complex debate with multiple perspectives:
- Some commenters shared similar experiences at Canberra pools
- Others criticized local pools for insufficient family-friendly amenities
- Many acknowledged the difficult situation parents face when needing to assist children of the opposite sex
Tynan clarified her position: "No-one is suggesting his daughter should be unsafe - but the women and girls in that room also should not have to feel unsafe or uncomfortable because a grown man is showering in a women's space."
She suggested alternatives for parents: "If a parent doesn't feel comfortable using gendered change rooms, they wait for a family room. If it's occupied, they [should] wait, use a family or accessible bathroom, or speak to staff."
Broader Context of Canberra Facilities
This incident occurs amid growing scrutiny of Canberra's sports and recreation facilities. As the capital's population increases, questions are being raised about whether existing infrastructure meets community needs, particularly regarding family amenities and accessibility.
The operators of Gungahlin Leisure Centre, Belgravia Leisure, which also manages several other Canberra pools including Canberra Olympic Pool, Stromlo Leisure Centre, Lakeside Aquatic Centre, Erindale Leisure Centre and Dickson Pool, were contacted for comment. The ACT government, which appointed Belgravia Leisure as pool operators, was also approached for response.
The debate continues to highlight the tension between ensuring safe, comfortable spaces for all community members while providing adequate facilities for families with young children.
