Vancouver's 3 outdoor seaside swimming pools are all opening this weekend

May 17 2019, 4:23 am

It’s a sure sign of the summer season: The Vancouver Park Board’s (VPB) three heated seaside outdoor pools—two with free Wi-Fi— are set to open this Victoria Day long weekend.

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The Kitsilano, Second Beach, and New Brighton Park pools all open Saturday, May 18. Second Beach pool closes after the Labour Day weekend, but Kits and New Brighton pool will stay open until September 15.

Both Kits and Second Beach pools now have Wi-Fi, part of the City of Vancouver’s plan to expand public access to free WiFi throughout the city.

Hillcrest Centre’s outdoor pool opens May 18 and closes September 3. Maple Grove outdoor pool in Kerrisdale opens June 15 and closes September 3.

“Outdoor pools are cherished by residents. They’re not only fun, but provide important health benefits,” said VPB chair Stuart Mackinnon. “We know people will be lining up early to be the first in the pools Saturday morning.”

He noted that people can avoid these lineups though, and “sail right through the gates by loading up their Park Board OneCard.”

Lifeguards will patrol 11 bathing beaches daily from Victoria Day to Labour Day weekend from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm (closing at 9 pm from mid-June to mid-August), except when the red light is on at the Lifeguard Station.

For those who want to cool down, but skip the pool, the VPB’s 14 water parks open across the city this weekend as well, on May 18.

The new Ranger Station in Stanley Park will be staffed seven days a week (hours TBD). It will act as a command centre for rangers working in the park. Its primary purpose is to educate the public on fire safety, including the smoking ban in parks and beaches. Rangers aim for voluntary compliance through education, but issue fines when necessary.

Also in time for the Victoria Day long-weekend, all 13 concessions across the city will be open. New menu items include vegetarian curries, locally made fresh beef burgers and Beyond Meat plant-based burgers, ginger beef lettuce wraps, ramen noodles, and hand-battered fish and chips.

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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