Vancouver City Council to Decide on Extended Outdoor Pool Hours
The City of Vancouver is set to vote on Monday regarding a proposal to extend operating hours and public swim sessions at its outdoor pools for the upcoming summer season. This initiative, detailed in a staff report to city council, aims to enhance accessibility and address longstanding patron concerns.
Proposed Changes to Pool Schedules
The staff report recommends extending weekend operating hours at Kits Pool, which previously opened at 9 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Additionally, it suggests adding an 8 a.m. public swim session at Second Beach Pool to provide more early-morning options for residents.
For New Brighton Pool, adjustments include shifting opening and closing times by 30 minutes. For instance, on weekdays, the pool would open at 6:30 a.m. instead of 7 a.m., and on weekends, it would open at 8:30 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. Maple Grove Pool, which currently opens at 10:30 a.m. daily, would see no changes to its operating hours under the proposal.
Enhanced Swim Session Durations
Last summer, public swim sessions were limited to 2.5 hours, while length swim sessions lasted 1.5 hours. The report proposes increasing public swims to three hours, with the final session at Kits Pool extending to four hours. Length swims would also be extended to two hours, allowing for more flexible and extended use by swimmers.
Revisions to Reservation Systems
To improve access, staff recommend modifying the reservation system. For public swimming, the allocation would shift from 80% reservation and 20% drop-in to 75% reservation and 25% drop-in. For length-only swims, the proposal suggests a 50% reservation and 50% drop-in split, aiming to balance planned visits with spontaneous access.
In response to complaints about the current system, the report also advocates for implementing transfer and refund options to free up space. This would include a follow-up system for frequent no-show patrons to ensure fair usage and reduce wasted reservations.
Background and Patron Feedback
In 2025, Vancouver's outdoor pools recorded 243,913 visits, with 44% by reservation and 56% as drop-ins. Since 2018, park board staff have reviewed access processes, identifying consistent complaints about issues such as lengthy in-person queues, heat exposure during wait times, change-room cleanliness, and limited access due to extended stays by some patrons.
These factors have contributed to instances of heat exhaustion, overall patron frustration, and incidents of aggressive or disrespectful behavior, as noted in the report. The proposed changes aim to mitigate these problems by increasing availability and streamlining operations.
If approved, the extended hours and revised systems could significantly improve the summer swimming experience for Vancouver residents, promoting better health and community engagement through enhanced recreational opportunities.
