Why the city wants hooks added to women’s washrooms at Winnipeg arenas, rec centres

Women chat while watching players at a rink in Chestermere, Alta., in May 2012. (Jeff McIntosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

It’s an awkward dance seasoned Winnipeg hockey moms know all too well.

During a frigid Prairie winter morning, they huddle for warmth at their community’s arena as their kids battle it out on the ice.

Then, nature calls.

A trip to the barn’s women’s washroom while wearing a bulky, ankle-length coat presents a challenge – one described in a report making its way through Winnipeg City Hall.

“It’s often near impossible to use a washroom stall without having to place a coat on the floor or awkwardly juggle winter gear,” the report said.

The reason – few women’s bathrooms at city-owned arenas have enough, if any, coat hooks in the stalls, the report explains.

That’s quite the inconvenience for folks, namely hockey moms and grandmas often wearing long coats, parkas and winter gear.

“The absence of hooks is a practical barrier that disproportionately affects women and girls during winter months,” the report said.

A recommendation set to be considered by Winnipeg’s standing policy committee on property and development looks to change that.

It recommends exploring installing hooks in all women’s bathroom stalls at city-run arenas and recreation facilities and how much it would cost should ward councillors wish to equip their local rinks with them.

The motion was passed earlier this week at the city centre community committee.

It must next clear a vote at the property and development committee meeting on Feb. 5.