Vancouver Parks and Rec gets ready to take the plunge with another outdoor pool and beach season

Posted on

May 10 2024 –

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation will open two of its outdoor pools and staff its eight swimming beaches with lifeguards to help people safely enjoy time in and around the city’s waters this summer.

Outdoor aquatic season schedule

Registration for our first swim times on May 18 opens on Wednesday, May 15 at noon, and visitors can continue to book sessions three days in advance for the remainder of the season. There will be a number of drop-in sessions available; however, admission is not guaranteed. 
We recommend pool users reserve online in advance through Showpass, which will also be live as of May 15 at noon. 

Kitsilano Pool update 

We regret that Kitsilano Pool will not open on May 18 due to unforeseen repairs.

The consistent, dry weather needed to make the repairs only arrived recently, which has led to a delay in our ability to open the pool at the same time as Second Beach and New Brighton.  

Kitsilano pool is more than 50 years old and in its end-of-life phase with many failing and deteriorating components, including the membrane, expansion joints and the concrete structure, which has added complexity to maintenance, repair, and preparation for opening. It has also sustained substantial damage from storms over the years.

Repairs to Kitsilano Pool will continue over the coming weeks to ensure the pool is ready and provides a safe swim experience for all patrons. Based on the information we currently have, we hope to be able to open in early June. We recognize that the pool holds a special place in the hearts of Vancouverites as an iconic facility, synonymous with summer. Staff are doing everything they can to open the pool when it is safe to do so and are committed to providing updates on any further delays.

New Brighton and Second Beach Pools – hours of operation
 

Session New Brighton Second Beach
Morning
  • 7am to 8:30am lengths swim
    (Mon to Fri only)
  • 9am to 11:30am public swim

*Temporary opening:
Saturday, Sunday, and stat holiday on Monday: 9am to 11:30am public swim
Afternoon and evening
  • 12pm to 2:30pm public swim
  • 3pm to 5:30pm public swim
  • 6pm to 8:30pm public swim
  • 12pm to 2:30pm public swim
  • 3pm to 5:30pm public swim
  • 6pm to 8:30pm public swim

Lanes with lane ropes are available at New Brighton and Second Beach Pools during all public swim times.

Maple Grove will open on June 15. Hillcrest Outdoor Pool will open with the indoor pool after their extended maintenance refit. Both open July 1. More operational details to follow in the coming weeks.

Beaches

As of May 18, lifeguards will patrol and supervise designated swimming areas at the following beaches:

  • English Bay
  • Jericho
  • Kitsilano
  • Locarno
  • Spanish Banks East and West
  • Sunset
  • Second
  • Third

Patrolled swimming areas will be marked by red and yellow flags from 12pm to 8:30pm daily. These patrol hours will change later in the summer season as days become shorter. Find information about beaches

Concessions

Starting May 18, concession stands will be open for the season. Customers can skip the concession line by downloading the VanEats app, available on Apple  and Android devices, or by placing an order online at vaneats.ca.

Spray parks

The following spray parks are currently open to the public from 9am to 9pm daily: 

  • Connaught Park
  • CRAB Park at Portside
  • Harbour Green Park
  • Grandview Park
  • Hastings Park
  • Oak Park
  • Prince Edward Park
  • Pandora Park
  • Norquay Park
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Maclean Park and Garden Park are anticipated to open next week. Chaldecott Park will remain closed as it awaits repairs.

Wading pools

Most wading pool locations are scheduled to begin operations the week of July 1. 

Alcohol on beaches pilot 

From June 1 to September 30, adults over the age of 19 will be able to bring and consume alcohol at the following select beaches between the hours of 11am – 9pm:

  • Jericho Beach
  • Spanish Banks
  • Locarno Beach
  • Second Beach (Stanley Park)
  • Kitsilano Beach
  • John Hendry / Trout Lake Beach
  • New Brighton Beach

Drinking is not permitted at English Bay Beach, Sunset Beach Park and Third Beach (Stanley Park).

The success of this summer’s Alcohol on Beaches pilot is dependent on beachgoers doing their part to act responsibly at the beach and be considerate of others. Please avoid entering the water when intoxicated. We also ask visitors to respect other beach users and help keep greenspaces clean by properly disposing of trash or taking it away with them.  

When consuming beverages in parks and beaches (alcoholic or not), do not bring any glass bottles or containers, and instead bring cans, reusable and/or plastic or paper-based containers.

For a list of parks and beaches where drinking is allowed in Vancouver, visit vancouver.ca/alcohol-in-parks 

Non-motorized watercraft

Beachgoers wanting to participate in canoeing, kayaking, rowing, dragon boating, outrigging, paddle boarding, surf skiing, windsurfing, small craft sailing, kite surfing and boarding can launch from and recover at the following beaches:  

  • Kitsilano Beach
  • Spanish Banks East (this is the only designated kite surfing launch location) 
  • Spanish Banks West
  • Sunset Beach

Learn more about our non-motorized watercraft strategy

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