The controversial demolition of a beloved Vancouver pool is set to proceed
Demolition of a five-decade-old Vancouver pool is set to commence in early October of this year.
Today, the B.C. Supreme Court officially dismissed a legal challenge from Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society regarding the planned renewal of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre (VAC).
The group, formed by residents, swim club members, and other pool users, has actively protested the renewal. Instead of rebuilding a 50-metre lap pool like the VAC currently has, the redevelopment will have a 25-metre, eight-lane lap swimming pool as the main tank.
They’ve organized rallies and hired lawyers to support their case in court, crowdfunding over $100,000 since July 2025.
On the society’s GoFundMe page, they state that the City and Park Board have transformed “a competitive fitness training facility into a waterpark while ignoring the democratic mandate and simultaneously weaponizing the plebiscite timeline.”
In the 2022 civic election, voters approved the City to use $103 million in loans for the renewal project, legally mandating them to begin construction of a new VAC before the end of 2026.
But the society has argued that Vancouver voters approved borrowing for the redevelopment of VAC with a 50-metre lap pool and diving pool through the plebiscite question, saying that the City’s capital plan, official voter information package, and other public documents described it as such.
They say that using the voter-approved funds for a 25-metre pool undermines the purpose of the Vancouver Charter’s voter-assent provisions.
But the City and the Park Board stated that the legally binding authority comes from the wording of the borrowing bylaw and the plebiscite question, and not from these supporting documents.
While the society provided evidence that repairs to VAC are feasible, the City argues that the current facility has significant safety issues and cannot remain open.
In March 2022, the VAC had a partial collapse of the exterior wall near the main entrance. In November 2025, a piece of concrete fell from the ceiling into the pool.
With the municipal election just over a month away, TEAM for a Livable Vancouver has promised that it would keep a 50-metre pool at VAC. Two of the directors for Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society, Jon Girard and Mayeli Alvarez, are running for Park Board.
“We are committed to passing a motion to halt the project and ensuring voters get the 50-metre 10-lane pool they approved at Vancouver Aquatic Centre,” wrote the society in an update on its crowdfunding page.
With files from Kenneth Chan