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The drama swirling around the $175-million Vancouver Aquatic Centre (VAC) replacement project has put swimming pools on the map this municipal election, with civic parties trying to make a splash with big campaign promises.
Case in point: Ken Sim’s ABC Vancouver, winner of a super-majority on city council and park board four years ago, now pledging to ditch the contentious plan conceived under its administration that would shrink the 50-metre aquatic centre main pool to 25 metres.
Instead, the ABC election platform states clearly that it will “rebuild the Vancouver Aquatic Centre with a 50-metre pool.”
Susan Boutwood, one of many pool patrons who have been fighting city hall over the shrunken pool, says the about-face is maddening.
“I think it’s absolutely outrageous. For the last 18 months we’ve been banged over the head and had it shoved down our throats how there’s no way a 50-metre pool can fit in the current footprint,” said Boutwood.
“I understand from the city they’re now saying they can build one in the current footprint. So either they were lying then, or they’re lying now.”
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A 50-metre replacement pool was touted by planners for years and funding was approved by voters in a 2022 plebiscite.
But last year, when the 25-metre design was unveiled, senior city staff were adamant it was the only option for the rebuild.
The reasons given were that building outside of the existing VAC footprint was not possible, a constraint that made the site too small to fit a modern 50-metre pool.
A modern 50-metre pool requires a moveable bulkhead within it, which increases the actual pool length by a number of metres.
User groups and patrons were outraged, with over 100 people signing up to speak against the plan.
Nevertheless, the 25-metre design and increased funding was approved by park board and city council, sparking an unsuccessful legal challenge in B.C. Supreme Court by advocates who argued shrinking the pool was undemocratic.
Now, with municipal elections scheduled for Oct. 17, the saga has taken another twist.
David Grewal, a city council candidate with ABC, says a 50-metre pool can in fact be built on the site, despite previous claims by city staff.
“I had a penny for every time [staff] said they can’t get something done, I’d be a very wealthy man,” said Grewal.
“I would rather we take a few extra months, take the time now to deliver a quality, world class facility that is functional and delivers for the needs of Vancouverites. That’s the most important thing.”
According to Grewal, an ABC-led city hall will use innovation, technology and “thinking outside the box” to deliver on the promise.
Some civic parties are promising to build a 50-metre pool within the VAC’s current footprint. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
Other parties are also diving into the issue.
TEAM mayoral candidate Colleen Hardwick was first to tap into the public discontent by promising a 50-metre pool in the VAC replacement project.
“Ken Sim and ABC are changing their tune in the lead up to the civic election, which is typical of their behaviour and very cynical,” said Hardwick.
“We need a 50-metre pool, and to suggest otherwise just boggles the mind.”
Likewise, Vancouver Liberals mayoral candidate Kareem Allam is pledging to “scrap the 25-metre plan day one” for a 50-metre tank.
Allam is also questioning the $175 million price tag for the project.
“We’ve got a problem related to how we’re generally building things in this city,” he said.
“The PNE Amphitheatre was supposed to cost $60 million … the final cost was $180 million. So that project went three times over budget, and that’s happening with all kinds of construction projects.”
Vote Vancouver is also supporting VAC “remaining a 50-metre pool,” although mayoral candidate Rebecca Bligh says reopening the decision would put voter-approved funding at risk and leave the West End without a pool for even longer.
“Vote Vancouver will respect the Park Board’s process, deliver the new VAC with public reporting on schedule and cost, and back the independent audit,” said Bligh in a statement.
In contrast, the Vancouver Greens say they will build a new 50-metre pool in East Vancouver — either at Hastings Community Centre or Kensington Community Centre — while sticking with the 25-metre plan for VAC.
“You can’t put a large pizza inside a medium box. It just doesn’t work,” said Tom Digby, a Green Party candidate for park board who is seeking re-election.
“We are not willing to return and relitigate the issue around the VAC because it’s simply not feasible.”
Demolition of the 52-year-old VAC is expected to start this month with the new facility projected to be finished in 2029.
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