THE Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation announced on Tuesday that Kitsilano Pool will reopen for public swimming on Saturday, July 30.

Last month, Recreation staff announced Kits Pool to reopen this summer pending cooperative weather, and as the weather has stayed consistently dry, necessary maintenance and repairs were able to take place. People visiting Kits Pool may notice some marks on the pool’s flooring, staff are assuring swimmers this is not dirt, but patch work from the sealant used to temporarily fill pool cracks.

Not unlike other municipalities in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver is experiencing a staffing shortage and are working diligently to find immediate and long-term solutions. Although Kits Pool may appear to have space for those waiting in line, capacity for pools is not based on the size of the facility itself. Each location in Vancouver has re-evaluated their total capacity for the amount of people allowed in a pool at any given time based on a visitor-to-lifeguard ratio. The staff ask all pool visitors be patient as they navigate this late-season reopening.

Kits Pool opening weekend information (July 30 – August 1):

• There will be a limited number of swimmers allowed in the pool this opening weekend. As of August 2, the numbers of spaces for swimmers will be based on staff availability and adjusted accordingly. There will continue to be space for drop-ins, however, these spaces are not guaranteed. Reservations are live online three days prior at 12 p.m. (noon).
• Kits Pool will only be open for public swims throughout the long weekend. Length swimmers are asked to book at Second Beach Pool in the meantime.

Long weekend hours of operations (public swim sessions):

9:30–11:45 a.m.

12:15–2:30 p.m.

3–5:15 p.m.

5:45–7:45 p.m.

Regular hours of operation (August 2 – September 5)

Morning length swims currently taking place at Second Beach Pool will move to Kits Pool and all swims will start earlier due to sunset change in August.

Kits and New Brighton Pool sessions:

Length swimming

7 – 8 a.m.

8:15 – 9:15 a.m.

Public swimming

9:30 –11:45 a.m.

12:15 – 2:30 p.m.

3 – 5:15 p.m.

5:45 – 7:45 p.m.

Second Beach Pool sessions:

9:30 – 11:45 a.m.

12:15 – 2:30 p.m.

3 pm – 5:15 p.m.

5:45 – 7:45 p.m.

Additional details:

There will be two entrances into the pool:

• East-end of the fenced area: will be the entrance for paid, single-visit online reservations
• Front entrance: will be for online reservations made with Flexipass, 10 visit passes as well as  Leisure Access Pass holders and drop-ins who still need to purchase their entry pass

Kits Pool will stay open until the end of the season, September 5, along with the other outdoor pools in Vancouver.  Following the pool closure, more in-depth repairs will be initiated to rejuvenate the pool’s structure back to what it was before the storm.

For more information, visit Vancouver.ca/kitsilanopool.