vancouver aquatic centre to close june 28 before demolition
2 minute read
we apologize, but this video has failed to load.
try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
a date has been set for the permanent closure of the vancouver aquatic centre and its 50-metre, olympic-sized pool.
the city of vancouver and the park board said the 52-year-old facility’s last day of operation will be june 28 to allow crews to start preparing the site for demolition of the structure.
construction is expected to start late this year to build a new $175 million facility, which will have a 25-metre lap pool, a leisure pool, a hot pool and sauna, a diving tank, an expanded fitness room and a multipurpose room for community events.
the city says it is working with users to find other swim venues while the facility is closed.
“park board staff are reviewing capacity across the full aquatic system to help maintain continuity of programs and services for public-users and swim groups,” it said. “staff will continue working closely with the community to support the transition.”
plans to replace the aging facility have sparked significant debate and a court challenge after the park board swapped plans for a long-course pool to a 25-metre pool with increased leisure space instead, due to financial and site constraints.
some swimmers and clubs have pushed back against the loss of the 50-metre pool, which is preferred by competitive athletes. without the aquatic centre’s large pool, the city has only two other olympic-sized pools, one at the hillcrest aquatic centre and the other at ubc.
jon girard of the group protecting our vancouver aquatic centre society had said opting for a 25-metre pool removes any chance the facility can host national- or provincial-level competitions.
the group is awaiting its day in court after filing a judicial review arguing that vancouver residents voted in a 2022 plebiscite to borrow funds to renew the facility’s 50-metre pool, not replace it with a smaller pool. it is seeking an order to quash the park board’s approval of the current design and to prevent plebiscite-authorized funds from being used on the project.
advertisement
