City outlines three Kitsilano Outdoor Pool renewal concepts costing up to $300 million | Daily Hive

City of Vancouver outlines three preliminary Kitsilano Outdoor Pool renewal concepts costing up to $300 million

137.5-metre-long enhanced pool option; high-cost, brand-new replacement and relocation option of Kitsilano Outdoor Pool. (HCMA/City of Vancouver)

The City of Vancouver could spend as little as $40 million to keep the existing Kitsilano Outdoor Pool operating for another 15 years — or as much as $300 million to completely replace it with a new facility offering more amenities and designed to last beyond the end of the century.

Those are the bookends of a highly preliminary feasibility study commissioned by the City and Vancouver Park Board to determine the future of the aging waterfront pool, which has reached the end of its lifespan and is increasingly at risk of being exposed to rising sea levels, flooding, and waves.

The completed study outlines three main choices: a $40-million concept that protects the existing pool to extend its lifespan closer to the middle of the century, a $90-million renovation of the existing pool, or a $230-million, brand-new replacement on a different footprint at higher ground within Kitsilano Beach Park. An enhanced version of the complete replacement would add another $70 million, bringing the estimated total to $300 million.

It should be emphasized that these are highly preliminary cost estimates. No option has been selected or funded.

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Vancouver City Council has designated the rehabilitation of Kitsilano Outdoor Pool as a committed program within the 2027–2030 Capital Plan. However, the City and Park Board have not selected one of the three concepts outlined in the feasibility study or approved a construction budget.

Instead, City staff will develop rehabilitation options for the existing pool based on the study’s findings. The work would focus on improving the facility’s operational reliability without changing the pool’s size. Further details on the scope and cost are expected to be presented to City Council through the capital plan’s mid-term update in 2028.

“As part of the 2027-2030 Capital Plan, City Council directed staff to include Kitsilano Pool rehabilitation in the 2027-2030 Capital Plan and to report back as part of the mid-term capital plan update,” the City told Daily Hive Urbanized upon inquiry.

“This direction focuses on addressing the pool’s most immediate needs to ensure the current facility operates more reliably. Any contemplated rehabilitation work would focus on the existing facility and would not affect the size of the pool. Details of the rehabilitation work will be addressed at the update.”

When asked for further clarification, the City said they would draw upon the feasibility study when developing the options that will be presented to City Council.

“City staff will proceed with developing rehabilitation options as part of the 2027-2030 mid-term capital plan update report to Council. These options will be based on the published feasibility study report. Further details about the scope and budget will be provided through that update,” added the City.

Kitsilano Outdoor Pool on a sunny summer day with swimmers in the water and Vancouver’s skyline in the background. (Eric Buermeyer/Shutterstock)

kitsilano outdoor pool kits pool aerial f

Aerial of Kitsilano Outdoor Pool at nighttime. (Stephen T. Y. Wong/Shutterstock)

Potential full brand-new replacement concepts with a shorter pool length and a significantly smaller water surface area

The tradeoffs identified in the study completed in late 2025 are very significant. The least expensive approach would preserve the existing 137.5-metre-long pool and its views, but only buy about 15 years. A more comprehensive renovation could extend its life by approximately 30 years, but would require a large permanent flood wall that blocks the pool’s iconic views of Burrard Inlet, the North Shore mountains, and the Downtown Vancouver skyline.

A full replacement would offer an estimated lifespan of at least 75 years and much better protection from coastal hazards, but the base version would shorten the pool’s length to 100 metres with a far smaller surface area than the existing pool. Building a brand-new replacement that matches its current 137.5-metre length — which makes Kitsilano Outdoor Pool the longest public outdoor pool in North America, with a length of nearly three times an Olympic-sized pool — is part of the additional $70-million enhancement for the $230-million replacement concept.

Regardless of the option selected, the City intends to retain the pool’s saltwater typology — if it can obtain the necessary health approvals.

The current pool is initially filled each season with treated and heated seawater, then topped up with potable water as water is lost. Its aging filtration equipment is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, while chlorine storage presents safety concerns.

A replacement could use a conventional potable water system, a recirculating system replenished with seawater, or an ocean flow-through design similar to some Scandinavian harbour baths. The latter would substantially reduce potable-water consumption, but would require further study and approval from Vancouver Coastal Health.

Aerial of Kitsilano Outdoor Pool. (City of Vancouver)

Aerial of Kitsilano Outdoor Pool. (EB Adventure Photography/Shutterstock)

The current pool structure dates back to 1979, although the first outdoor pool at the site opened in 1931. It was built directly within the intertidal area of English Bay and now sits entirely within designated flood and wave-hazard zones.

The original pool had a sandy bottom and was filled with water from English Bay during high tide. In the 1960s, the bottom was replaced with concrete. Its subsequent reconstruction completed in 1979 was a response to new health regulations that required proper filtration, with a new concrete pool basin and the installation of systems to heat, pump, and treat sea water.

Its concrete deck is at an elevation of approximately 2.6 metres, while the adjacent seawall is even lower, ranging from 1.9 to 2.3 metres. Extreme tides combined with storm surges can already exceed 2.9 metres, with winter waves potentially adding another two metres.

That vulnerability became particularly clear in January 2022, when a king tide and storm surge flooded the pool and surrounding park, causing extensive damage and forcing costly repairs. That storm’s lingering damage has greatly accelerated the need for a renewal project.

The study anticipates between 0.6 and 1.2 metres of relative sea-level rise by 2100, with an allowance of up to two metres recommended for conservative planning. Still-water levels could reach 4.1 metres by the end of the century, well above the existing pool deck.

Engineers also found that the pool’s concrete slab is cracked and leaking because of coastal conditions that were not anticipated when it was designed. Rising groundwater, king tides, and stronger coastal forces are expected to make those problems worse.

Protecting and/or renovating the existing pool structure

Under the first and least expensive option, Vancouver’s municipal government would spend approximately $40 million on targeted work intended to stabilize the pool and provide more reliable seasonal openings for another 10 to 15 years.

Although described as a protection option rather than a full renovation, the work would still be substantial. The existing pool slab would be demolished, the ground beneath it improved, and a new 0.25-metre-thick reinforced concrete slab constructed with tension piles to resist the upward pressure and other forces created by the coastal location.

The existing 137.5-metre configuration and pool deck would be retained. Seasonal flood barriers would be installed during the stormier months, allowing the ocean and mountain views to remain unobstructed during the summer swimming season.

Moderate shoreline protection, such as a rocky breakwater and additional beach sand, would also help limit future storm damage. Targeted work would restore the Kitsilano Showboat community stage to its condition before the 2023 fire.

kitsilano outdoor pool concept protection renovation

Lower-cost protection/renovation option of the existing structure of Kitsilano Outdoor Pool. (HCMA/City of Vancouver)

However, the existing change rooms, support buildings, concession, and splash pad would largely remain as they are. Accessibility and mechanical improvements would also be limited compared with the other two options.

The protection work could require Kitsilano Outdoor Pool to remain closed for as much as one summer season.

City staff describe this approach as a possible first phase that would give the municipal government more time to secure funding for a complete replacement project while continuing to monitor sea-level rise and storm damage. Its main drawback is that, after spending $40 million, the City would still likely have to finance a much more expensive replacement within about 15 years.

The second option would provide a much more extensive $90-million renovation while retaining the pool in its current location and preserving its existing length and general configuration.

Like the protection option, the existing pool tank would be demolished and rebuilt with stronger structural reinforcement. The deck would be repaired and upgraded, while the pool’s piping, filtration, electrical, and mechanical systems would be replaced.

The change rooms and staff areas would receive accessibility and resiliency improvements, and the existing splash pad would be renovated. Targeted upgrades to the Kitsilano Showboat would also be included, but the concession building would remain largely unchanged.

The most conspicuous element would be a permanent reinforced-concrete flood wall built approximately two metres higher than the existing seawall. Its crest would reach an elevation of about 4.2 metres, with additional beach sand and a rocky breakwater built on the ocean side to absorb wave energy and protect the pool.

Unlike the removable barriers proposed under the protection option, this wall would permanently obstruct the English Bay views from the pool deck and from within the water.

The wall would allow the renovated pool and site to remain viable for approximately 30 years, based on sea-level rise projections extending to 2055. Extending the existing pool’s life to 2100 is not considered practical, as it could eventually require a flood wall more than six metres or two storeys high. Such a barrier would eliminate the experience of an open waterfront pool and could create significant safety concerns.

The renovation could be completed in stages but is expected to disrupt as many as two summer swimming seasons. After approximately 30 years, Vancouver would once again face the need to plan and find funding for a relocated replacement.

Lower-cost protection/renovation option of the existing structure of Kitsilano Outdoor Pool. (HCMA/City of Vancouver)

A brand-new replacement pool on higher elevation with a length of 100 metres or 137.5 metres

The most expensive and long-lasting option would demolish the existing pool and construct a brand-new pool immediately south of the present footprint — on a higher ground elevation, where the park rises toward Cornwall Avenue.

The location would keep the pool close to the waterfront, while allowing its deck to be raised to an elevation of approximately six metres.

The base replacement concept is estimated at $230 million and would have an expected lifespan of at least 75 years, based on sea-level rise modelling to 2100.

Instead of the existing single large pool configuration, it would be designed as two separate bodies of water. A 100-metre pool would be designed primarily for long-distance and lane swimming, while a warmer leisure pool would include 25-metre lap swimming lanes, a shallow beach-style entrance, play features, a whirlpool area, and a lazy river.

In contrast, according to the study, the existing pool has large areas of very shallow water, bottlenecks in its swimming lanes, inconsistent depths, and water that is too cold for some recreational users. Its change rooms and other support areas are also outdated and difficult for some people with disabilities to use.

The replacement would include ramp access into the lap pool, a “zero-depth” entrance into the leisure pool, universal and family change rooms, accessible washrooms, and new administrative and mechanical spaces. The entire facility would receive new filtration, piping, heating, and electrical systems.

kitsilano outdoor pool concept replacement

100-metre-long pool option; high-cost, brand-new replacement and relocation option of Kitsilano Outdoor Pool. (HCMA/City of Vancouver)

137.5-metre-long enhanced pool option; high-cost, brand-new replacement and relocation option of Kitsilano Outdoor Pool. (HCMA/City of Vancouver)

A relocated and expanded spray pad would sit outside the admission area, allowing people to use it without paying to enter the pool. It could also operate as a public cooling feature during extreme heat.

The existing concession and Kitsilano Showboat would be replaced as part of the project. A new food and beverage space with patio seating would overlook the pools and waterfront, while the new community stage would be designed with accessible seating and backstage facilities.

Relocating the pool would also free its existing footprint for additional park space, shoreline restoration, and a more natural beach. A rocky breakwater and additional beach sand would initially protect the raised facility, with the shoreline features enlarged gradually as sea levels rise. This approach would provide more room for sand, vegetation, and other coastal habitat to move inland over time.

Construction could close Kitsilano Outdoor Pool for as many as three summer seasons.

For an additional $70 million, the base replacement could be upgraded into the study’s enhanced concept. The main lap pool would be lengthened from 100 metres to 137.5 metres, matching the existing pool. A wellness area would add an outdoor hot pool, cold plunge pool, indoor sauna, and steam room, along with additional pool deck space.

A partial roof would cover a portion of the leisure pool, providing shade and potentially supporting a longer operating season. The concession would also be expanded to enable year-round food and beverage service.

100-metre-long pool option; high-cost, brand-new replacement and relocation option of Kitsilano Outdoor Pool. (HCMA/City of Vancouver)

137.5-metre-long enhanced pool option; high-cost, brand-new replacement and relocation option of Kitsilano Outdoor Pool. (HCMA/City of Vancouver)

High-cost, brand-new replacement and relocation option of Kitsilano Outdoor Pool. (HCMA/City of Vancouver)

Public consultation in Summer 2025 showed strong support for preserving the features that distinguish Kitsilano Outdoor Pool. The City and Park Board received nearly 10,300 survey responses, with 72 per cent of participants describing the saltwater experience as important.

Improved seating and shaded areas were selected as a priority by 59 per cent of respondents, followed by better long-distance swimming facilities at 46 per cent and wellness amenities at 39 per cent. Participants also emphasized maintaining ocean and mountain views, improving accessibility, and retaining the pool’s connection with the surrounding park.

Even after a preferred option and funding source are identified later this decade, a project of this scale would take several years to design, approve, and construct.

To perform the study’s technical design consideration aspects, the City contracted local architectural design firm HCMA to lead the work.

HCMA is behind the designs of Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre in Burnaby, Minoru Centre for Active Living in Richmond, the new aquatic and community centre replacing Canada Games Pool in New Westminster, West Vancouver Aquatic Centre, and Clayton Community Centre and Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre in Surrey, as well as Hillcrest Centre (Vancouver Olympic Centre), Killarney Pool, and River District Community Centre in Vancouver.

It also responsible for the concepts of the City of North Vancouver’s newly-opened Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre and the planned Harbour Deck seawater swimming destination on the Lonsdale waterfront.

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