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I:\Commissions - NEW FOLDER\PREC (Parks Recreation and Environmental Commission)\2016\Working Docs\2016.10.05\V_A Staff Summary Memo on Locker Room use <br />Age .doc <br /> <br />Memo <br />To: Parks, Recreation and Environmental Commission <br />Members <br />From: Patrice Atkinson, Recreation Supervisor <br />Subject: Locker Room Use/Age Restrictions at Highview Pool <br />Date: September 27, 2016 <br /> <br />New Brighton Parks and Recreation operates aquatics programming using <br />Mounds View School District’s Highview Middle School Pool. The program <br />opportunities are for all ages starting at six months old and above. Programs are <br />swim lessons, water aerobics, certification programs and open and lap swims. <br /> <br />The rule is that “Children over the age of 5 must attend the appropriate locker <br />room for their gender.” This rule is universal among multi-program use aquatics <br />facilities with or without family changing facilities. After the age of 5, generally the <br />child is more alert to gender differences. <br /> <br />In July 2016, staff received this common and reoccurring concern regarding the <br />rule on the locker room age requirement. As typical, case by case concerns were <br />individually addressed and staff made reasonable accommodations and <br />educated about the rule. <br /> <br />In August 2016, the Mounds View School District considered the transgender <br />legislation making unisex accessible bathroom accommodations in the school <br />lobby. This accommodation will allow for an alternate use in family changing for <br />swim participants. This facility now has a unisex bathroom and can be locked for <br />privacy; however it will not have lockers or a shower stall. This will not resolve <br />the issue entirely; yet will provide another option for those feeling more <br />vulnerable. <br /> <br />Staff recommends PREC supports this rule “Children over the age of 5 must <br />attend the appropriate locker room for their gender.”