Rockhill Tenants Collective

Residents of the Rockhill apartments in Montreal

Pool and change rooms: rules not enforced or not sufficient

Severity:
Important - greatly affects quality of life
Status:
New - for discussion with the administration
Problem Description:

It is observed that the pool usage rules are not enforced or should be put in place to improve security and cleanliness

  • Some tenants have interacted with non-residents using the toilets, changing rooms, and the pool without considering that these are private facilities paid for by the tenants.
  • No access control at the entrance, which allows non-residents to wait for a resident to open the door, then come in after
  • Lack of cleanliness: Swimmers with long hair without swim caps, swimmers in T-shirts and shorts,
  • Swimmers not showering before entering the water.
  • Lockers: some users of the change rooms are permanently leaving their own locks on the lockers, which prevents other people from using them.
Problem impact:
  • The cleanliness of the pool is compromised by people who do not follow hygiene rules.
  • The lack of monitoring regarding unacceptable behavior seems to encourage offenders to worsen, as evidenced by the recent vandalism.
Resolution Criteria:
  • There must be a clear written indication of what is allowed and required for pool use, visible immediately upon arrival, and which is not disregarded.
  • Swimmers should feel a sense of safety and cleanliness, with the lifeguard as a representative of Rockhill taking action to maintain hygiene and actively prevent antisocial behavior or intervene promptly to ensure peaceful use of the premises.
  • Ensure there is a functional camera at the pool entrance and in the corridor between the pool and the gym, to potentially identify offenders if there needs to be an investigation.
Open Questions:
  • Should swim caps be mandatory for long hair?
  • Are there specific clothing items that can be clearly stated as prohibited?
  • Are lifeguards trained to handle antisocial behavior? Do they have a procedure for dealing with offenders? Do they know when they should call security?
Proposals:
  • Make the rules more prominently displayed at the entrance of the pool and changing room.
  • Clarify permitted clothing – for example, many pools prohibit cut-off T-shirts and shorts, or explicitly require swim caps.
  • A camera should be positioned to capture the faces of those entering.
  • Move the guard's table next to the door to ensure proper control. Instruct the guards to enforce the rules and expel offenders, potentially with the assistance of security.
  • When a group arrives, ensure everyone shows their key fob to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering after tenants. If they are guests, who are they visiting?
Follow-ups
12 January 2024

The administration of Rockhill sent a letter stating that "acts of vandalism have occurred in the sauna area, compromising not only the quality of our shared environment but also the safety and well-being of everyone. These acts include damage to equipment and inappropriate behavior in the sauna space."

This incident aligns with several tenants reporting a lack of identity control regarding equipment and non-functioning cameras.

12 January 2024

A tenant was a victim of aggressive behavior by a group of men by the pool while she was using the women's change room. The men tried to open the door and yelled obscenities at her.

The lifeguard said he wasn't able to intervene, and the surveillance caméra was not working. The men were not apprehended.

The Property Manager says that it is practically impossible for them to check everyone using these facilities, and it is the responsibility of each tenant not to open the door to people without a Fob. He says that if tenants notice that unauthorized individuals or groups are entering these areas, they should immediately notify the security guard who will come and check their right to access these places.

Next meeting

Monday 9th of September 2024 at 7 PM

In the hall of building C

(next to the stores)

Contact

Have a question? An incident, photo or opinion for the website? An exchange with the administration to share? Write to us at:

clr-rtc@googlegroups.com

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The Collective

Affected by the deterioration of the Rockhill Apartments in Montreal, some tenants began meeting in July 2023 to consider ways to address the situation.

From these meetings emerged the Rockhill Tenants Collective, a spontaneous group dedicated to upholding the rights of residents and the heritage value of this once upscale and avant-garde complex.