Vancouver Aquatic Centre to reopen with ‘precautionary ceiling netting’ in place

A lifeguard watches over people swimming at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, April 24, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The Vancouver Aquatic Centre is set to reopen, two weeks after a piece of concrete from the ceiling fell into the pool and prompted the facility’s closure, according to officials.

The aging facility will be ready to welcome swimmers Friday, the Vancouver Park Board said in a statement Thursday.

“During the closure, the facility underwent a thorough safety review, and precautionary ceiling netting was installed to ensure the safety of patrons and staff,” the statement from the board said.

“This type of issue can occur in older buildings, and VAC is more than 50 years old and beyond its intended service life. Similar precautionary steps have been taken in other parts of the facility to maintain safety.”

Construction on a new aquatic centre is set to begin in 2026.