Vancouver’s busiest outdoor pool is expected to reopen this year.
During an update at a Vancouver Park Board meeting Monday night, staff told commissioners that Kitsilano Pool will open for the May long weekend.
This comes months after a staff report revealed the pool was leaking 30,000 litres of water every hour, putting its future in jeopardy.
Tom Digby, park board commissioner, says they’re doing what they can to keep the aging pool running.
During Monday’s update, staff said they have identified some spots where the pool is losing water.
“Turns out most of it is seawater,” Digby said. “Seawater comes in low and goes out low, but turns out there’s many broken pipes underneath this pool and they’re leaking pipes and they’re old and the liner of the pool is actually delaminating.”
Repairs are currently underway, with more repairs expected in the fall.
Staff says the pool’s May long weekend opening is dependent on the weather.
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Over the past eight years, $5 million has been spent on capital works at the pool, which is the longest outdoor swimming pool in North America. It opened in 1931 and was replaced with the current design in 1978.
However, city staff say the pool may change again in the coming years, as they search for $2 million to conduct a feasibility study on the pool’s renewal.
“At this stage, this pool is year by year,” Digby said.
“We’re super fortunate that this year we’ve got a good opportunity and things seem to be aligned, but there really is no guarantees for next year.”
Staff also revealed that the Kitsilano Showboat, which was damaged by a fire in April 2023, is expected to open for the summer season.