Park board approves changes to Vancouver’s pool reservation system

Changes are coming to Vancouver’s pools this year, including minor adjustments to the online reservation system.

The Vancouver Park Board voted in favour of the staff-recommended changes at Monday night’s meeting, with only commissioners Marie Claire Howard and Angela Haer in opposition.

Howard argued in favour of more open access, pointing to the city’s handling of the Fan Festival at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

“It seems to me there are a lot of people who were very loud and clear about wanting the opportunity to go to the pool without an appointment,” Howard said ahead of the vote.

The city’s hybrid system of reservations and drop-ins has faced some criticism, though staff noted there was widespread satisfaction among pool users in a recent Leger survey commissioned by the board.

Despite that, staff did recommend increasing the number of drop-in swims this year.

Previously, 80 per cent of public and length swims at Kitsilano Pool, Second Beach Pool, New Brighton Pool and Maple Grove Pool were reservable, with the remaining 20 per cent available for drop-ins.

This year, 75 per cent of public swims and 50 per cent of length swims will be reservable.

Commissioner Tom Digby said the hybrid system has been a success in that it’s largely addressed the issue of long and unpredictable lines for pool access, particularly at Kitsilano Pool.

“On some of those days, our lifeguard staff spent more time treating heat stroke in the lineup than watching swimmers,” Digby said.

The average wait times at Kitsilano Pool last year ranged from four minutes to 30 minutes, according to a staff report.

Digby said he’s spoken with dozens of residents, and found most appreciate having choices. He noted that no members of the public signed up to speak Monday to call for the abolishment of either the reservation or drop-in option.

“The vast majority of Vancouverites understand that if you want to book ahead, you can, and if you want to drop in, you can,” Digby said. “In the former case, you need to be a little bit organized and get a spot before they sell out.”

The Leger survey did find nearly one-third of respondents have had trouble securing a reservation, which commissioners acknowledged sometimes sell out within 24 hours.

But the board heard there were still only two swim sessions in all of 2025 when drop-in users had to be turned away at Kitsilano Pool.

In addition to increasing the proportion of drop-in swims, the board voted to allow for reservation transfers and refunds, hoping to decrease the number of no-shows, and to have staff “follow up with frequent no-show patrons.”

The board also changed the late-entry window from 30 minutes to “15 minutes before session end,” and adjusted the hours at several pools—including at Kitsilano and New Brighton, which will have extended operations on weekends.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear when the public might be able to access Kitsilano Pool, which is still in need of a replacement due to storm damage.

In response to a question about whether the pool will open on the Victoria Day long weekend in May, as it has in years past, recreation director Steve Kellock said that “work is underway” and that staff “hope to be back to the board with more information soon.”