park board pushes back on kits pool reservation system complaints, but says it's open to modifications
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kits pool in vancouver on july 22.
arlen redekop
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the vancouver park board is pushing back after complaints about kitsilano pool’s reservation system, but it also says it’s open to making some changes.
earlier this week, after the park board declined to hear a motion about ending the advanced-booking system, mayor ken sim issued a public statement calling on premier david eby to fulfil his previous commitment to fold the park board into city operations, and said the city was “exploring all options” to eliminate the reservation system and bring back drop-in access.
on tuesday, laura christensen, the park board chairperson, responded to sim’s broadside with a letter of her own, addressed to eby, stating: “i have personally received significant positive feedback from residents who use and appreciate the booking system.”
she said the pool reserves 20 per cent of its capacity for drop-ins, and only one drop-in slot this summer — 6 p.m. on july 12 — had to turn away visitors.
those who reserve in advance don’t need to wait in line, she wrote, and drop-in visitors typically only wait for the duration it takes to process payments.
christensen said that for the week of july 8 to 17 the pool served more than the “baseline” number of patrons expected based on pool capacity in 30 out of 40 sessions and that leisure access pass (lap) users, low-income residents who are provided with free and reduced-cost programs, are also able to reserve online.
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park board manager steve jackson said thursday that his staff is working hard to find a “sweet spot” that will work for all users of the city’s popular seaside pool.
“we are trying to find a solution that works with everyone and asking how do we make this pool the best for as many people as possible?”
jackson said the booking system, which reserves 80 per cent of the slots daily for those who book online, works for many — especially those who don’t live in the neighbourhood but come to use the pool from other parts of vancouver.
“there is a real equity issue here and the reservation system is about making sure that this is a facility that is open to all, especially people who come from other parts of the city,” said jackson.
jackson said staff are looking at data, and listening to public feedback, but it’s unlikely the pool will drop the reservation system entirely.
“the ultimate goal is to find an approach that works for the majority. we are collecting data and we are going to potentially make modifications throughout the summer,” said jackson.
staff are looking at possibilities such as extending the length of the slots (currently, users can book for 2.5 hours and there are four, 30-minute “turnover” times a day when lifeguards get a break and cleaning is done); finding a way to deal with reservation no-shows; and improving drop-in access, said jackson.
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jackson is urging pool-users to share feedback with staff, including lifeguards, cashiers and park board team members.
in a statement thursday, the housing and municipal affairs ministry said: “local governments are responsible for managing their recreational facilities. we know how important it is for local governments to have all the tools they need to provide appropriate governance. the province continues to work with the city of vancouver on its request.”
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