Sim: “[Premier’s] inaction will continue to cost Vancouver taxpayers tens of millions of dollars”

FOLLOWING Monday’s meeting of the Vancouver Park Board, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said in a statement that the Park Board chose delay over action and Vancouver residents are the ones paying the price.

Sim pointed out: “Despite overwhelming public feedback calling for the immediate removal of the outdated Kits Pool advance booking system, the motion to scrap it was delayed until September 15, well after the pool closes for the summer. That’s not accountability, that’s deliberate inaction.”

He said: “Vancouver residents deserve better: they want a system that works. They deserve easier access to our swimming pools, parks, and facilities. In light of yesterday’s inaction, I will be actively exploring all options with City staff to eliminate the advance booking system and bring back easy, drop-in access for everyone.”

Sim added: “What we have seen with Kits Pool is a reminder of a bigger problem: the Park Board itself. It continues to operate with limited accountability and with little regard for what residents are actually asking for.

“This is just the latest in a long series of issues and missteps. From the Stanley Park Train to wasting millions of dollars on plans that are never actioned.”

The mayor also criticized the Premier, stating: “We are paying the price with long wait times and limited to no access to Kits Pool because Premier David Eby is either unwilling or unable to follow through on his repeated commitment to transition the Park Board into City operations.

“His inaction will continue to cost Vancouver taxpayers tens of millions of dollars and will result in disappointments like Kits Pool.”