This might be a little bit like the song that never ends, but there has been another development in the ongoing Kits Pool saga, and changes are coming.
Today, the Vancouver Park Board has announced that it will be trialling changes at the pool beginning Aug. 5; however, one big change, perhaps the biggest that a vocal crowd has been asking for, is not on the agenda.
The booking system at Kits Pool is staying in place, but other changes people have also been asking for are coming. The changes are primarily geared toward drop-in swimmers.
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Folks who arrive during the final 45 minutes of a time slot at Kits Pool will be able to get a 50 per cent discount on the drop-in admission rate. This doesn’t apply to reservations or swim lessons between 7 and 8:30 a.m. These changes also apply at Second Beach Pool, New Brighton Pool and Maple Grove Pool.
The Park Board says that the goal of this change is to create value for drop-in users who aren’t as familiar with the reservation system and might arrive late, or individuals with limited schedule flexibility.
Another change, one that has been asked for, is session length. The Park Board will be expanding the times for some sessions. Instead of there being a 3 to 5:30 p.m. and a separate 6 to 8:30 p.m. session, both will be combined into one from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This change is another move to offer more flexibility to drop-in users.
The Park Board says that the change will result in a reduction of swim time available to users of the booking system.
“These changes, including the drop-in discount and the extended session at Kitsilano Pool, are intended to improve the experience for drop-in users looking to enjoy our outdoor pools this summer,” the Park Board said.
As mentioned, the reservation system will remain in place with an 80/20 ratio geared toward people who book ahead of time.
How did we get here?
Kitsilano Pool refilled on July 28, 2024, following interim repairs. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)
If you haven’t been following the Kits Pool saga, we first wrote about the concerns some poolgoers had in late June.
Essentially, some folks didn’t think that the reservation system served swimmers the best, and since it was a system that was put in place during the pandemic, they didn’t feel like it was needed anymore.
We spoke to the Park Board’s Dylan Myers and raised some of the concerns, but from our understanding, there were no plans to make any changes because, from the board’s perspective, things were running smoothly, and the reservation system also has a fair share of supporters.
Then, out of the blue, we learned that a motion had been introduced to abolish the reservation system; however, that motion was dismissed.
And now we’re here.
Splash around in the comments with your thoughts.