The Vancouver Aquatic Centre, home to an Olympic-sized 50-metre pool, will permanently close on June 28, 2026, as the City of Vancouver and the park board prepare for its demolition. The closure marks the end of an era for the 52-year-old facility located on Beach Avenue in the West End, making way for a new $175-million aquatic centre.
New Facility Design and Features
The replacement facility, expected to begin construction later this year, will feature a 25-metre lap pool, a leisure pool, a hot pool, a sauna, a diving tank, an expanded fitness room, and a multipurpose room for community events. The city has stated that the design change from a 50-metre long-course pool to a 25-metre pool with increased leisure space was driven by financial and site constraints.
Transition Plans for Users
City and park board officials are working with users to identify alternative swimming venues during the closure period. Park board staff are reviewing capacity across the entire aquatic system to maintain continuity of programs and services for public users and swim groups. Staff will continue collaborating closely with the community to facilitate a smooth transition.
The announcement has generated significant debate, particularly among competitive swimmers and clubs who prefer the 50-metre pool for training and competitions. Without the aquatic centre's large pool, Vancouver will have only two other Olympic-sized pools: one at Hillcrest Aquatic Centre and another at the University of British Columbia.
Court Challenge Underway
Jon Girard, representing the Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society, has voiced opposition to the 25-metre pool design, arguing that it eliminates the facility's ability to host national- or provincial-level competitions. The group filed a judicial review, contending that Vancouver residents voted in a 2022 plebiscite to borrow funds for renewing the 50-metre pool, not replacing it with a smaller one. They are seeking an order to quash the park board's approval of the current design and to prevent plebiscite-authorized funds from being used on the project.
The judicial review is scheduled to be heard on June 19, 2026, just days before the planned closure. The outcome could potentially affect the timeline or scope of the new facility.
