The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation approved the VanSplash: Vancouver Aquatics Strategy, on October 28, 2019. The strategy lays out an ambitious 25-year vision for the future of aquatics through a city-wide planning approach. It makes the case for the significant capital investment needed to deliver new pools for Vancouverites.
VanSplash proposes a city-wide approach to planning future pools and other aquatic amenities and innovations. A key recommendation emphasizes the need for a mix of pool sizes and experiences, with pools categorized as small, medium, or large, and to ensure the qualitative experiences of pool users are reflected in the design of all future pools, regardless of their size.
Public engagement and advisory group
VanSplash was the result of more than three years of public engagement. During the engagement process in 2017 and 2018, staff heard from more than 7,000 residents at open houses, meetings, and through surveys. A draft report was presented to the Park Board in 2017. During the final phase of engagement a city-wide advisory group was established to review draft recommendations and provide insights to staff.
The advisory group, made up of 19 citizens representing a variety of demographics and aquatic experiences, met 10 times and presented their review and further recommendations to the Board in July 2019. Staff then integrated the majority of the advisory group's findings into the revised VanSplash strategy.
Approved VanSplash reports
Our pools and beaches
By City of Vancouver
Get to know the 9 indoor pools, 5 outdoor pools, and 11 swimming beaches managed by the Park Board in this slideshow. We also care for 17 wading pools, 15 spray parks, and 1 lake.
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A growing city means our pools are more popular than ever
By City of Vancouver
New facilities in recent years, like Hillcrest Aquatic Centre, have also increased the number of annual swims.
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Britannia Pool
By City of Vancouver
This 25-metre pool in Grandview-Woodland has a 1-metre diving board, rope swing, and small slide. It was built in 1975 and renovated in 1998. The facility is wheelchair accessible and also has a leisure pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam room, family change room, and fitness centre.
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Hillcrest Aquatic Centre
By City of Vancouver
This 50-metre pool in Riley Park has a 1- and 3-metre diving board, 5-metre diving platform, beach entry, universal change rooms, movable floor, and 2 bulkheads that split the pool into different sections. It was built in 2010 as part of the Winter Olympic Games. The destination facility is wheelchair accessible and also has a leisure pool, lazy river, outdoor pool with spray features, whirlpool, steam room, sauna, fitness centre.
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Kensington Pool
By City of Vancouver
This 15-metre leisure pool in Kensington has a whirlpool, sauna, and fitness centre. It was built in 1979. The facility is wheelchair accessible.
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Kerrisdale Pool
By City of Vancouver
This 30-metre pool in Kerrisdale has a 1-metre diving board and small slide. It was built in 1955 and renovated in 1996. The facility is wheelchair accessible.
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Killarney Pool
By City of Vancouver
This 25-metre pool in Killarney has a 1-metre diving board and 3-metre diving platform. The adjacent 15-metre leisure pool has spray features, a lazy river, large slide, whale tail, bubble pit, and climbing wall. It was built in 2006. The facility is wheelchair accessible and also has a whirlpool, steam room, ozone-treated water, universal change rooms, and fitness centre.
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Lord Byng Pool
By City of Vancouver
This 25-metre pool in West Point Grey has a diving board, rope swing, and small slide. It was built in 1974. The facility is wheelchair accessible and has a whirlpool, sauna, and fitness centre.
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Renfrew Pool
By City of Vancouver
This 25-metre pool in Renfrew has a 1-metre diving board, small slide, and bubble pit. It was built in 1963 and renovated in 1970 and 2005. The facility is wheelchair accessible and also has a whirlpool, sauna, family change room, and fitness centre.
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Templeton Park Pool
By City of Vancouver
This 25-metre pool in Hastings-Sunrise has a 1-metre diving board, rope swing, and small slide. It was built in 1974. The facility is wheelchair accessible and also has a leisure pool, whirlpool, sauna, and fitness centre.
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Vancouver Aquatic Centre
By City of Vancouver
This 50-metre pool in the West End has 1- and 3-metre diving boards, 5-, 7.5-, and 10-metre diving platforms, a rope swing, small slide, and movable bulkhead. It was built in 1974. The facility is wheelchair accessible and also has a leisure pool, dive tank, whirlpool, sauna, family change room, beachers, and fitness centre.
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Hillcrest Aquatic Centre outdoor pool
By City of Vancouver
This outdoor pool has spray features and is open during the summer from Victoria Day to Labour Day.
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Kitsilano Pool
By City of Vancouver
This 137.5-metre pool in Kitsilano has 50-metre lanes, 3 small slides, beach entry, and salt water. It was built in 1979. The destination facility is wheelchair accessible.
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Maple Grove Pool
By City of Vancouver
This free-form family leisure pool in Kerrisdale has beach entry, 4 feature fountains, and a 1-metre depth. It was built in 1995. The facility is wheelchair accessible and has changerooms and a café.
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New Brighton Pool
By City of Vancouver
This 55-metre pool in Hastings-Sunrise has 25-metre lanes, beach entry, and a small slides. It was built in 1973. The facility is wheelchair accessible and has change rooms and a concession.
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Second Beach Pool
By City of Vancouver
This 110-metre pool in Stanley Park has 50-m lanes, 3 small slides, and beach entry. It was built in 1995. The destination facility is wheelchair accessible and has change rooms and a concession.
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English Bay Beach
By City of Vancouver
Downtown's busiest beach next to the Seawall has a concession stand, Cactus Club Cafe, public washrooms, beach umbrella and chair rentals, kayak rentals, a swimming raft with a large slide, 2 sand volleyball courts, and a beach wheelchair.
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Jericho Beach
By City of Vancouver
Between Kitsilano and West Point Grey, Jericho Beach caters to people swimming, sailing, and windsurfing. The beach has a concession, public washrooms, playing fields, tennis courts, picnic tables, a swimming raft, a beach wheelchair, the Jericho Sailing Centre, and the Vancouver-Jericho Beach Hostel.
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Kitsilano Beach
By City of Vancouver
Kits Beach is connected to the Seawall and has a concession, the Boathouse Waterfront Restaurant, public washrooms, tennis and basketball courts, a playground, and a swimming raft.
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Locarno Beach
By City of Vancouver
This quiet beach between Jericho and Spanish Banks beaches has a concession, public washrooms, 6 volleyball courts, picnic tables, a swimming raft, and free parking.
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Second Beach
By City of Vancouver
Near the Seawall, English Bay entrance to Stanley Park, and Ceperley Meadow, Second Beach has a concession, public washrooms, a playground, and a picnic shelter that you can reserve.
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Spanish Banks Beach (East, West, and Extension)
By City of Vancouver
The longest and widest beach in Vancouver has 2 concessions, public washrooms, picnic tables, 16 volleyball courts, free parking, 2 dog off-leash areas, and a kiteboarding launch zone.
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Sunset Beach
By City of Vancouver
At the entrance of False Creek downtown, this quiet beach has a concession, public washrooms, and access to False Creek Ferries and Vancouver Aquatic Centre.
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Third Beach
By City of Vancouver
Shielded from city noise, Stanley Park's Third Beach has a concession and public washrooms.
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Trout Lake Beach
By City of Vancouver
In Grandview's John Hendry Park, Trout Lake Beach has a concession, public washrooms, a swimming raft, a picnic area, a dog off-leash area, playing fields, and free parking.
