The Lonsdale waterfront on the North Shore is getting a new permanent public amenity — a floating seawater harbour pool that will transform a central area of the shoreline into a more accessible and engaging space for recreation and connection with the ocean.
This is a partnership between the City of North Vancouver and national charity Swim Drink Fish, and it involves building a swimming deck that creates an enclosed, sheltered area for seawater swimming.
It also represents the realization of a long-held local vision — one first imagined by Vancouver-based architectural firm HCMA, which a decade ago proposed a similar concept for a public harbour swimming dock in Coal Harbour on the south side of Burrard Inlet.
At the Lonsdale location, there will be 50-metre length swimming lanes, diving platforms, an accessible shallow pool, and an expansive wooden deck with space for lounging, beach chairs, and other seating. This includes a grandstand-like seating area at the west end of the deck, shaped like the bow of a ship.
Unlike Vancouver’s Kitsilano Outdoor Pool, which is set to see a replacement project of its own, this is a fully natural seawater pool — completely unheated.
Designed by HCMA, the floating structure will be located immediately south of Waterfront Park — situated between the Mosquito Creek Marina and SeaBus’ Lonsdale ferry terminal. It will be built right next to the existing Waterfront Park Dock pier, which will be fully retained. A new zig-zag accessible floating ramp will be built to the new swimming deck.
Location of the North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming on the Lonsdale waterfront. (HCMA/Swim Drink Fish/City of North Vancouver)
Location of the North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming on the Lonsdale waterfront. (Kevin Pilar/City of North Vancouver)
Location of the North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming on the Lonsdale waterfront. (Kevin Pilar/City of North Vancouver)
Existing condition:
Location of the North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming on the Lonsdale waterfront. (HCMA/Swim Drink Fish/City of North Vancouver)
Future condition:
Concept of the North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming on the Lonsdale waterfront. (HCMA/Swim Drink Fish/City of North Vancouver)
The North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming will be built in front of Waterfront Park near Lonsdale SeaBus terminal.
Featuring 50-metre lap swimming, a shallow pool, diving platforms, and a lounge area with ample seating. #vanpoli #vanrehttps://t.co/6CprPgMLWS pic.twitter.com/zbUhoWLciH
— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) November 3, 2025
“We are beyond thrilled to announce this first-of-its-kind project in B.C. that will transform our oceanfront into a vibrant destination for active living, connection, and joy, in a way that has never been done before on our shores,” said Linda Buchanan, the mayor of the City of North Vancouver, in a statement today.
“The addition of the City’s first outdoor seawater swimming amenity exemplifies Council’s commitment to building a more vibrant community while proudly celebrating our connection to the marine environment. It marks an exciting step toward becoming the Healthiest Small City in the World.”
This is the latest major public space addition to the Lonsdale waterfront, which is anchored by the City’s recent completion of The Shipyards development with an outdoor ice rink, various public spaces, and active commercial uses, and the ongoing revitalization of the Lonsdale Quay Market. The provincial government also has plans to redevelop the ICBC office headquarters building above TransLink’s Lonsdale Quay bus exchange into a new major housing project.
Concept of the North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming on the Lonsdale waterfront. (HCMA/Swim Drink Fish/City of North Vancouver)
Concept of the North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming on the Lonsdale waterfront. (HCMA/Swim Drink Fish/City of North Vancouver)
The Lonsdale harbour deck project carries a total cost of $21 million, including $16 million donated by Canada’s Weston family — best known for their ownership of the Loblaws grocery store empire — to Swim Drink Fish and $5 million from the municipal government.
The City will oversee design, construction, and operations of the facility, including lifeguarding, security, and maintenance.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026, pending permits and community consultations, with an opening targeted for 2027. The project also needs to go through a permitting process with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
Concept of the North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming on the Lonsdale waterfront. (HCMA/Swim Drink Fish/City of North Vancouver)
Concept of the North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming on the Lonsdale waterfront. (HCMA/Swim Drink Fish/City of North Vancouver)
Concept of the North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming on the Lonsdale waterfront. (HCMA/Swim Drink Fish/City of North Vancouver)
The Lonsdale project announcement also marks the launch and flagship project of the charity’s WAVE Prize — a major grant initiative aimed at expanding clean, swimmable urban waters in British Columbia. The program intends to provide up to five grants of $3 million to $15 million each to local governments and First Nations to help build natural water swimming structures.
“Communities have worked for decades to clean up their waters. As a result, there is a generational opportunity to reimagine urban waterfronts and create places where people can swim, connect, and celebrate clean water,” said Mark Mattson, president of Swim Drink Fish.
“Today, with the support of the Weston family, we’re proud to partner with the City of North Vancouver in announcing this flagship harbour deck project, and to launch the WAVE Prize across B.C.”
Concept of the North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming on the Lonsdale waterfront. (HCMA/Swim Drink Fish/City of North Vancouver)
Concept of the North Vancouver Harbour Deck for seawater swimming on the Lonsdale waterfront. (HCMA/Swim Drink Fish/City of North Vancouver)
North Vancouver’s harbour deck joins a growing international movement of cities reclaiming their urban waterways for public use. Similar projects in Copenhagen, Oslo, Paris, Quebec City, Ottawa, and Kingston have demonstrated how accessible swimming infrastructure can foster healthier, more connected communities while advancing environmental stewardship.
While the harbour deck marks a new addition in the region’s waterfront accessibility, the idea of creating a public seawater pool in the region has surfaced before — though earlier attempts never made it past the drawing board.
In the late 2000s, the City rejected a private developer’s proposal for a 400-foot-tall, 36-storey condominium tower at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue that included a harbour deck as part of its community amenity contribution (CAC). The plan was ultimately turned down due to local residents’ concerns over the tower’s height.
In the mid-2010s, HCMA Architecture & Design revived the conversation with an unsolicited concept for a harbour pool on the south side of Burrard Inlet — within Coal Harbour, envisioned as a replacement for the Harbour Green Dock in downtown Vancouver. That design was intended to inspire public imagination rather than serve as a formal proposal with funding attached.
2016 concept of a harbour deck platform at Harbour Green Park at Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver. (HCMA)
2016 concept of a harbour deck platform at Harbour Green Park at Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver. (HCMA)
2016 concept of a harbour deck platform at Harbour Green Park at Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver. (HCMA)
2016 concept of a harbour deck platform at Harbour Green Park at Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver. (HCMA)
Harbour Green Dock is now set to see some modifications and upgrades for its use as the downtown Vancouver terminal for a new passenger-only ferry service to Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast, operated by CIRQL Ferries — formerly known as Greenline Ferries.
In Spring 2026, the City of North Vancouver will also gain new and improved community and recreational facilities when the $230-million brand new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre opens, which includes a new major indoor aquatic centre.
As well, the municipal government is in the process of studying the feasibility of building a two-block-long deck over the Upper Levels Highway above the Lonsdale Avenue interchange, for the purpose of creating a new public park adjacent to the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre and improving north-south connectivity in the city.