Latest news with #JenHeddon
CBC
09-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Cole Harbour Place closes saunas following health emergencies, inappropriate behaviour
A Dartmouth-area recreation facility has permanently closed its saunas in light of ongoing safety and behavioural issues. Cole Harbour Place announced this week it was closing its two dry saunas, which are located inside the men's and women's change rooms. General manager Jen Heddon said the most serious problem that led to the decision was the number of medical emergencies resulting from people overheating and passing out in the saunas. She said some visitors might not have realized heat can cause dangerous medication interactions, or they didn't drink enough water while exercising. Some people have also poured water or other liquids on the heating elements in the saunas, creating a fire risk, Heddon said. "It's a lot of response from our lifeguards or other staff and taking away from other duties. And the saunas are located in the change room, so there's not always overview," she said. "We were just worried that something could happen and it may not be noticed for a little bit of time, which is dangerous for everybody." Inappropriate behaviour reported In a statement, the facility said it also received multiple reports of "sexually inappropriate behaviour" in the saunas that was part of a "concerning and ongoing pattern." When asked about that issue, Heddon said none of the behaviour was criminal in nature or any type of assault. "We've had some reports of some inappropriate behaviour that has occurred, or people being undressed and different things like that. So, yeah, unfortunately that is also part of it," she said. Heddon said she understands some people will not be happy with the closure of the saunas, but she said it had to be done "given all of the safety concerns." The facility is offering payment adjustments or refunds to people who considered the saunas a significant factor in their membership.
Global News
07-05-2025
- Health
- Global News
Cole Harbour Place closes saunas due to safety, sexual inappropriate behaviour
A Dartmouth rec centre has permanently closed its dry saunas due to too many medical emergencies, intentional misuse and 'sexually inappropriate behaviour.' Cole Harbour Place announced this week it was shutting down its saunas in the men's and women's adult change rooms effective immediately — and permanently. 'The instances of medical emergencies that have happened or just responses to medical issues that have happened has been increasing over the past little while,' general manager Jen Heddon told Global News. 'And in conjunction with people unfortunately not obeying the rules.' According to a posted sign for members, the centre has received 'multiple reports of sexually inappropriate behaviour occurring in the saunas.' 'These incidents are part of a concerning and ongoing pattern,' the advisory reads. Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen Cole Harbour Place announced this week it was permanently shutting down its saunas in the men's and women's change rooms effective immediately. Global News Heddon added that staff have received weekly complaints about the saunas and lifeguards have increasingly had to respond to medical emergencies, such as overheating. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Mainly the saunas are located in our change rooms, which people and staff just aren't there, so there's not always that visibility,' she said. 'So things could happen, and we may not know for a little while. So we just didn't want anything to happen and us not know about that.' She said she understands members may be disappointed with the decision, but 'we just can't continue having them open.' Member Derek Forbes said he's among those disappointed with the closure. 'There's always safety (concerns) everywhere, but I think that the safety stuff that they're talking about is just a misdirection on spending money,' he said, adding that there are great health benefits to using a sauna. Story continues below advertisement 'It was really healthy, it really topped off your day. It was something you looked forward to at the end of a workout.' — With files from Kendra Gannon
