The Vancouver Aquatic Centre will be closed April 20 due to a nearby pro-cannabis event.
In a notification on the pool and fitness centre's webpage, the city notes the "unpermitted 420 cannabis protest" means the city facility will be closed to "ensure staff and public safety."
"This year's 420 cannabis protest event is taking place at Sunset Beach Park all day April 20," reads the poster. "Hundreds of people are expected to attend, with crowds peaking at 4:20 p.m."
That means all classes, sessions and services at the community pool will be cancelled and shuttered for the day.
At the same time, posters at the centre note the nearby public washrooms at Sunset Beach will be closed the whole day. The beach's concession will also be closed according to the poster.
While the 420 Vancouver Event Society, which had organized events at Sunset Beach for decades does not appear to be behind an event at the English Bay beach this year, another organization is advertising a "420 Sunset Beach event" with music and speakers celebrating cannabis culture starting at 10 a.m.
Things will return to normal on April 21.
"Programming will resume as normal on April 21," reads the pool's webpage. "The Vancouver Sun Run will be happening on this day. Expect traffic delays and plan ahead."
Police are aware of the unsanctioned gathering planned for the annual 420 day festivities.
"We will deploy additional officers in and around Sunset Beach on Saturday to ensure any gathering that take place remains peaceful and that people participating in the protest remain in compliance with the law, including the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act," Sgt. Seve Addison tells V.I.A. in an email, noting police support the right to freedom of assembly.
