VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Users of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre are still in shock after a decision to replace the facility’s 50-metre pool with a new one that’s only half the length.
The Vancouver Park Board approved the 25-metre pool Monday night as part of a $170 million renovation for the aging facility.
“The unfortunate reality that the board had to consider was the constraints by the size and by the budget,” Commissioner Scott Jensen told reporters following the decision on Monday.
Throughout an extended process in which the park board heard from nearly 200 speakers over three nights since February, swim organizations made their case.
“There’s a lot of people who feel that they haven’t been heard, and that decisions are being made without kids and families in mind,” said Phil Skinder, head coach at the Pacific Lifesaving Club, told CTV News on Tuesday.
Swim clubs are now trying to figure out what the future holds, with many expressing doubts that the facility at Hillcrest will be able to properly replace much of the programming that was happening at the VAC.
“Disappointingly, we haven’t really been given much information at all,” said Victoria Bonn, a Canadian Dolphin Swim Club board member. “There’s been quite a lack of transparency in terms of what the timelines are and what we can expect.”
A number of young swimmers shared their concerns about what it could mean for them.
“I know that a bunch of people are now being faced to either quit swimming or move entirely, because I’m in that situation right now,” said Geoffrey Mu, a young swimmer.
“We need to train in Olympic-sized pools because it can help us get faster,” said Eloise Hursh, alongside her sister – both young members of the Canadian Dolphin Swim Club.
Her sister Everly chimed in as well, saying, “Hockey players don’t train on like half of a rink, so I think we should have the opportunity to train in a 50-metre pool.”
The park board has consistently pointed to issues like the site size, budget limitations and complications related to seismic requirements as to why building a new Olympic-sized pool at the facility isn’t possible.
Following the final vote at Monday night’s meeting, the board reaffirmed its commitment to eventually build a 50-metre pool – within the next 1 0years.
“It was, I think, a long and difficult decision, but it is an exciting opportunity for the future of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre and what that renewal will mean in three to four years,” said Jensen.
Ultimately, after all of this, city hall still has to sign off on this project, and if it does, construction is expected to start late next year.
