Online booking system at Kitsilano Pool will remain in place this summer

The Vancouver Park Board is defending the reservation system at Kitsilano Pool following criticism from the mayor.

The debate over the online reservation system at Kitsilano Pool has been put on hold for the remainder of the summer, after a Vancouver Park Board commissioner’s request to submit an urgent motion on the matter at the end of Monday’s meeting was declined.

Currently, 80 per cent of spaces at the pool are reserved for those who bought tickets online and 20 per cent are for drop-ins.

Park Board chair Laura Christensen ruled that Marie-Claire Howard’s motion to return the popular pool to a first come, first serve protocol did not meet the threshold of “urgent business” under procedural bylaws.

Howard argued changing the pool rules was a public health and safety issue during extreme temperatures, and pointed out many local beaches are currently not suitable for swimming due to E. coli – including Kitsilano.

Read more: Debate rages over COVID-19 era reservation system at Kits pool in Vancouver

However, Christensen noted that the online booking has been in place for years – since the pandemic – and the pool has already been open for a month this summer during which no risks came up that would warrant an emergency change.

Before the park board met for the last time until September Monday, Mayor Ken Sim posted a letter he sent to commissioners urging them to axe the reservation system.

He said the booking system created “needless complexity and unnecessary barriers for many who simply want to enjoy the pool as they always have, freely and spontaneously.”

“Today is your last meeting until September 15th. Do not waste this opportunity to restore public access to Kits Pool this summer,” he wrote.

Christensen said there are voices on both sides of the debate and the park board should give more notice before they discuss any changes to the system so the public can provide feedback.

Howard ultimately withdrew her motion, so it’s unclear when the issue will be brought up next.