'Let's stop stalling': Vancouver neighbourhood to get long-awaited outdoor pool
An outdoor pool promised for more than a decade is one step closer to becoming a reality.
The issue was heavily discussed during Monday night’s Vancouver Park Board meeting as commissioners considered the upcoming capital budget.
Originally, the Mount Pleasant outdoor pool was not part of the proposed 2023-26 capital plan, but that changed by the end of the four-hour-long meeting.
The previous outdoor pool was shut down in 2009 after operating for 44 years. Residents were promised a new pool, but years later, it still hasn't been built.
Between 2010 to 2021, the board passed several resolutions to build a new pool but the project never went ahead.
“We’ve been fighting for this to be replaced for years. It’s been a long struggle,” said speaker Helen Fielding, a former lifeguard and swimming instructor who wants a neighbourhood pool for her grandchildren.
According to staff reports, a new pool would cost between $15 million and 20 million.
“It’s relatively a small amount…it’s 0.57 per cent of the total city capital plan, 3.5 per cent of the total park board capital budget, ” said Anita Romaniuk, a former park board commissioner who was speaking on behalf of with the Mount Pleasant Community Centre Association.
The pool was clearly a contentious issue as several speakers voiced their strong opposition, citing concerns that green space would be taken away, beliefs the money could be used to fund other projects and concerns about traffic congestion.
“It’s heartbreaking to imagine this beautiful park have this concrete whatever design, that’s not going to be used for most of the year, be a giant eyesore,” said Patrick Crossmen, a resident in the neighbourhood.
During public engagement, 35 people were opposed while 29 people supported it.
After hearing from the speakers, the Commissioner John Irwin added an amendment to explore reallocating $11.5 million of the funds in the capital plan to facilitate the planning, design and building of the Mount Pleasant pool. It passed 5:2.
“It’s time for us to stop saying, ‘Just be patient.’ Let’s stop stalling, let’s finally do it,” said Commissioner Tricia Barker.
On the topic of pools, Commissioner Dave Demers also added an amendment to request council for additional funding to complete the outdoor pool for Marpole Community Centre. That amendment passed unanimously.
Another issue brought up is that funding was diminished from the sports field strategy, which saw about $11 million allocated in the past capital budget and dropped to $3.8 million in the upcoming budget.
After hearing from coaches, volunteers and young soccer players, the board voted unanimously to request city council find $7.7 million in funding to build, upgrade and expand outdoor sports field facilities.
In the four-year capital plan, $208 million will go towards funding parks and open spaces, $329 million is dedicated to recreation facilities and $2 million is earmarked for service yards, for a total of $539 million.
The plan now goes to council for approval.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.