The Vancouver Park Board has announced that they will delay the annual opening of its five outdoor pools including Kits Pool.
They also announced that they will not immediately provide lifeguards at its nine bathing beaches while conducting a thorough review of how to protect swimmers and staff from the risk of COVID-19.
For decades, the Park Board has signaled the return of summer each May long weekend by opening outdoor pools at Second Beach, Kitsilano, New Brighton Park, Maple Grove, and Hillcrest Aquatic Centre and providing lifeguards at public swimming beaches in the city.
“The impacts of COVID-19 on our daily life and recreation habits have been difficult for many in our community and we understand this is not welcome news for Vancouver, but public safety is our top priority and unfortunately we are not in a position to open this weekend,” said Daisy Chin, Director of Recreation for the Vancouver Park Board.
The Park Board, along with other municipal outdoor pool operators, is awaiting the release of new operating guidelines from Lifesaving Society Canada to help guide revised procedures to safely support swimmers at both pools and beaches during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last modified: June 29, 2022
Open the outdoor Kits pool for lap swimmers. The risk is negligible and we need to get life returning to normal.Br
Desperately need to get back to a swim for mental and physical work out.
If you love Kits Pool, be sure to sign this petition:
https://www.kitsilano.ca/2020/05/29/petition-to-reopen-kitsilano-pool-covid19/