BURST
Kitsilano Pool will reopen in the middle of June, Vancouver park board revealed on Wednesday.
The aging 137-metre outdoor pool on the foreshore of Kitsilano Beach has been hit with a string of misfortune over the past few years, but once again will be open for summer.
“Kitsilano Pool is more than 50 years old and in its end-of-life phase, which means annual maintenance and potential repairs will continue to be necessary,” a park board spokesperson said. “Staff began their annual work to prepare the pool for the season, as soon as weather conditions allowed. During this process, pool infrastructure issues were identified that require additional attention before the pool can open. As a result, the pool is expected to open in mid-June.”
Vancouver’s New Brighton and Second Beach outdoor pools are expected to open on May 17, while the small Maple Grove wading pool will open on June 14 and the Hillcrest Outdoor Pool will open on June 30.
On May 17, the park board will also begin staffing its nine swimming beaches with lifeguards. These beaches are English Bay, Jericho, Kitsilano, Locarno, Spanish Banks East and West, Sunset, Second, Third and Trout Lake.
Patrolled swimming areas will be marked by red and yellow flags from noon to 8:30 p.mm daily. These patrol hours will change later in the summer season as days become shorter.
Park board concession stands will open for the season on May 17.
Supervised spray parks, summer playground programming, and wading pools are staffed during peak attendance times. Staff supervise these parks from Wednesday, July 2, through until Sunday, August 31.
Park board also confirmed on Wednesday that alcohol would be permitted from May long weekend to Sept. 30 between 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Jericho Beach, Spanish Banks, Locarno Beach, Second Beach, Kitsilano Beach, Trout Lake Beach and New Brighton Beach
Drinking is not permitted at English Bay Beach, Sunset Beach Park and Third Beach (Stanley Park).