City council is standing by the decision to build a unisex change room in the new Queen Elizabeth pool.
The co-ed locker room is planned to have two doors with 25 private stalls and open to both sexes.
Councillor Tony Caterina says Edmontonians were quick to share their views.
"Yesterday the phone lines were lit up with people expressing their views and the majority are not in favour of that dressing room," he said.
The overwhelming response comes a day after the community group, Friends of the Queen Elizabeth Pool Society, threatened to pull its support and withhold $400,000 in funds raised for the pool.
The group said the unisex change room is a safety risk for children but some councillors disagree.
"I haven't seen anything yet to show me that safety would be an issue in this situation," said Coun. Kim Krushell.
Mayor Stephen Mandel also sees no issue with the unisex locker room, but he does have a problem with community groups dictating what can and can't be built.
"I'm getting concerned if anybody who gives something gets to dictate what we have in it, then we'd never get anything built," he said.
But some parents say co-ed locker rooms open the door to more than one issue.
"Safety yes, (and) privacy more so," said Tamara Wilkinson.
John Stobbe with Friends of the Queen Elizabeth Pool Society said his fears have eased a bit after many have voiced their concerns on the issue. The administration may have to come back with a new design and councillors say they're willing to hear both sides of the issue.
With files from Scott Roberts
