The sudden and indefinite closure of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre has sent local swim clubs into a desperate scramble for pool time, with many describing the lack of communication from officials as 'beyond frustrating.'
A Concrete Problem with Far-Reaching Consequences
The crisis began on November 3, 2025, when a chunk of concrete fell from the facility's ceiling, forcing an immediate shutdown. The closure has displaced numerous user groups who relied on the centre, which was already slated for a $175 million, three-year retrofit. This unexpected shutdown has left organizations like the Canadian Dolphin Swim Club begging for alternatives in a city already short on aquatic facilities.
"We are begging and borrowing—mostly begging—and we have reached out to our own swim community," said Jeannie Lo, president of the club. However, the city's park board has complicated these efforts. Lo explained that clubs have been instructed not to arrange shared time with peers directly but must instead go through the park board, which has yet to provide a reallocation plan.
Transparency and Access Issues Compound the Crisis
The situation is exacerbated by a lack of information. "We have been asking the park board literally every day since it closed... and we have not received any new information. They're not able to help us with reallocation," Lo stated. While private pools such as those at UBC and St. George's School have offered space, public facilities like Templeton, Hillcrest, and Britannia have been deemed off-limits for direct negotiations.
This closure adds another layer to the existing controversy surrounding the aquatic centre. The planned retrofit, which would shrink the pool from 50 metres to 25 metres, has been met with strong opposition from user groups. A legal challenge from the Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society alleges that the reduction contradicts a 2022 public plebiscite that favoured a larger pool. The group's petition also claims that an engineers' report supporting the longer pool was suppressed.
A History of Problems and a Political Quagmire
This is not the first time the facility's infrastructure has failed. In February 2024, a piece of the ceiling fell, causing a brief closure. Previous incidents include part of an exterior wall collapsing and a flood a decade ago that destroyed the building's electrical system.
An executive with one of the affected swim groups summarized the situation as a "political hot potato, rife with intrigue and drama." With the centre closed indefinitely and communication from officials limited, Vancouver's aquatic community is left treading water, unsure of where to turn for essential training space.
