VANCOUVER — Commissioners with Vancouver’s park board recently approved a program to renew the Vancouver Aquatic Centre (VAC), which has reached the end of its functional lifespan.
The plan includes a 25-metre lap pool, leisure pool, large hot pool, dive towers and a variety of other aquatic and recreational amenities. This decision follows a report back from staff outlining that they are not able to proceed with a 50-metre pool under the current budget and timelines.
“This critical renewal ensures the facility continues to serve the downtown and broader Vancouver community from its iconic waterfront location in the West End for years to come,” says Vancouver Park Board chair Laura Christensen in a statement. “As part of this decision, we’re also reaffirming a commitment for a new 50-metre aquatic facility in the next 10 years.”
The existing VAC currently operates at approximately 30 per cent of its potential capacity. This is mainly due to the temperature, depth and configuration of the lap and dive tanks as well as the facility’s age and condition.
The renewed aquatic centre strikes a balance in supporting competitive dive and swim groups while offering a variety of leisure options, the release adds.
“City and park board staff recognize that the design is a significant change from the current 50-metre pool and are committed to optimizing the renewed facility to offer a range of aquatic activities,” it continues. “Key factors in developing the recommended direction include budget, schedule requirements and the size of the site.”
Staff have been directed to reallocate $7.6 million from the West End Waterfront Parks Implementation Project to help fund detailed design and construction of the new facility. They have also been asked to report back on the feasibility of adding a temporary pool basin to the VAC to accommodate swimmers during the renewal.
Council approval would still be required for any additional funding beyond the initial $140 million allocated toward the project.
Should council approve the additional funding the project will head to the detailed planning and design stage with the start of the construction anticipated in late 2026.
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