University of Winnipeg student Grace Klassen switched to a women's only gym because of a problem she had at another workout facility.
"There was just a guy that would always be trying to talk to me, and he's always come at the exact same time when I was training," Klassen said.
It appears women at the U of W may be avoiding the on-campus gym.
The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association did a survey of 756 staff and students. It found 51.5 per cent of the women who answered said they don't feel safe or comfortable using the gym.
"With either comments that they received from usually men in the gym, lots of the time it was just simply staring," said Jade Defehr from UWSA.
The survey also found similar responses from some members of the LGBTQ community, visible minorities, and people with disabilities.
The association is calling on the university to set aside some time for women and others who feel uncomfortable around the male-dominated facility.
"No one is working out 24/7, non-stop so shutting down like an hour or so, that's fine.” said gym user Mearon Meresi.
However, Assiniboine Athletic Club manager Neil Dalrymple has concerns about restricting men, or anyone else on certain occasions.
"It's not building us to a community that is tolerant of everyone and working out together,” said Dalrymple.
The University of Winnipeg said it’s open to changes, but said it will do its own broader consultation before making any decisions.
