Vancouver city council has voted unanimously to approve a wide-reaching motion that seeks to improve aquatic access across the city, including free swimming lessons for children and the return of drop-in access for outdoor pools. The motion, put forward by Mayor Ken Sim, was approved Wednesday and directs staff to consult with the park board on establishing a free swimming lesson program prioritizing kids aged 3 to 12, framing the proposal as a public safety matter.
Mayor's Personal Connection
“Every child should have the opportunity to learn how to swim,” said Sim in a statement. “When I was growing up, our family was too poor to afford swimming lessons. I want to make sure that future generations of kids in Vancouver don’t face that same reality.”
Equity and Access Goals
The motion also asks staff to compile a report by next year proposing a realistic target for the number of pools per 10,000 residents that could be set as a goal for 2035 to ensure equitable access across the city. Vancouver currently has five outdoor pools. Montreal, by comparison, has 12 times as many with a population just over double that of Vancouver’s, while Toronto has 10 times as many with a population just over four times that of Vancouver’s.
Reservation System Under Review
The motion revisits a call for the park board to drop the reservation system that was initially put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid crowding aquatic facilities. Instead, council wants the park board to maximize pool capacity by removing time-limited reservations, reinstating drop-in public access, and allowing in-person queuing and admission. A similar push to scrap the reservation system was made last summer by ABC Vancouver park board commissioner Marie-Claire Howard, but that motion was withdrawn.
Funding and Timeline
Funding for the free swimming lesson program and other capacity expansion projects would come under the city’s annual operating budget and capital plan. Both New Brighton and Second Beach pools opened last weekend for the season, while Maple Grove and Hillcrest outdoor pools will open on June 15. The popular but aging Kitsilano Pool is also due to open in mid-June, but no firm date has been given due to ongoing repairs. Starting last weekend, lifeguards have also returned to supervise designated swimming areas at Spanish Banks West and East, Jericho, Locarno, Kitsilano, Sunset, English Bay, Second and Third beaches.
