Motion to 'renew and replace' Kitsilano pool passes unanimously

A motion proposing the city consider asking for public, corporate and philanthropic donations to fund the rebuilding of  leaky Kitsilano outdoor pool was passed in a unanimous vote at Vancouver city council.

Brought forward by Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung and Mayor Ken Sim, the motion asked council to "affirm the value of the iconic pool by committing to an urgent process to reimagine and replace the pool as a priority action."

"Having Kits Pool remain closed or not replacing Kits Pool is not an option," said Kirby-Yung. "This is something that is part of the fabric of Vancouver."

Earlier this month, city officials announced the pool would not open this year due to cracks in the tank and pipes leaking 30,000 litres of water every hour, making it impossible to keep the chemical balance needed to meet public health standards.

Kits Pool opened over 50 years ago and is Vancouver's busiest pool, attracting 150,000 people during its May to September annual opening.

Sitting at the western end of Kitsilano Beach, the facility has taken a beating in recent years from climate change effects, including a rising ocean, high tides and storms.

The motion calls for a new pool that is more resilient to these things, with possible new amenities like whirlpools and steam baths. 

City staff is to report back by the end of July 2024 with a plan to "establish a dedicated fund for the public, corporate and philanthropic sectors to contribute and donate to the capital costs of a new, modernized replacement pool, including plans for a communications campaign to support the efforts to raise funds."

Opposition party TEAM for a Livable Vancouver criticized the motion when it was first released, saying that relying on corporations and philanthropists to raise money isn't the answer.

"Instead of properly maintaining Vancouver's public recreational assets, Ken Sim and ABC want their well-heeled friends in the corporate sector to run the show," said the TEAM statement.

Repair work is being done on the existing pool with an eye to getting it back open next summer.