With sunshine and warm temperatures in the forecast for the foreseeable future, Vancouver Park Board decided to keep two of its outdoor pools open a little bit longer.
“With the long range forecast calling for more sun, we’ve decided to extend the season at Second Beach and New Brighton pools until Sept. 17,” said board chair Michael Weibe. “This is the first time that both pools have had their season extended at the same time and we hope residents and visitors take advantage of it.”
The hot weather this summer has brought an increase in the number of people taking a dip in the city’s outdoor pools. Kitsilano, Second Beach, New Brighton and Maple Grove pools saw more than 260,000 visitors since opening in late May – a 20 per cent increase over last year.
The Kits and Maple Grove pools will close after Labour Day. Lifeguards will also stop patrolling beaches after the long weekend.
Kitsilano Pool typically stays open until mid-September, however it is closing early this year for upgrades that must be completed during dry weather. The pool’s basin membrane needs to be replaced and its deck will undergo renovations, as well upgrades to the pool pumps will improve the salt-water swimming experience and reduce greenhouse gases and the potable water needed to main the pool level.
Water parks around the city will remain open until Oct. 1.
The board is also getting ready to launch the final round of public consultation for VanSplash, its aquatic strategy. Staff will ask the public for feedback on ideas for new and renewed aquatic facilities and experiences.
Earlier this summer, the park board received staff recommendations that would see some changes at existing pools, as well as the addition of new amenities.
The recommendations included:
- a new outdoor leisure pool at Killarney Community Centre
- a new outdoor component, possibly a spray park and hot tub, at Britannia Community Centre
- a new destination natural outdoor pool along the Fraser River
- a harbour deck in a prominent location.
At the time, Margery Duda, with the Vancouver Society for Promotion of Outdoor Pools, criticized the recommendations, saying they lacked an outdoor pool dedicated to swimming.
“In the draft recommendation there is no plan for an outdoor swimming pool,” she said at the time, adding the leisure pool at Killarney Community Centre would be more like a wading pool.
Duda said the city has lost four outdoor swimming pools and there are no plans to add any. She said the recommendations focus more on adding destination pools.
“It’s not really an opportunity for more people to swim,” she said.
The second round of consultation begins Sept. 18 and will include a survey and two open houses – Sept. 27 at Killarney Community Centre and Sept. 30 at Hillcrest Community Centre.
For more information, or to sign up for VanSplash updates, visit vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/vansplash-aquatics-strategy.aspx.
