Second Beach pool || Photo Credit: Flickr/Creative Commons Colin K
August is the best month in Vancouver. The sun shines, people take advantage of all our city has to offer. From water sports to Playland to farmer’s markets , Vancouverites and our guests flood our outdoor spaces seeking vitamin D and summery good times.
Unfortunately, August also spells the last full month that city-run public pools are open. You have between two weeks and a month to pack your pool bag to do some laps or splash it up with your kids or suntan-dip-repeat before Vancouver’s five outdoor public pools close next month.
Here’s a quick guide to poolside fun in Vancouver before our summer fades away and the gates close on Vancouver’s outdoor pools until next year.
Kitsilano Pool || Photo Credit: Flickr/Creative Commons Xia Li
Kitsilano Pool (2305 Cornwall Avenue) – Vancouver’s only saltwater swimming pool, ‘Kit’s Pool’ is a whopping 137 metres long and overlooks the Vancouver’s WestEnd and North Shore mountains. The vibe is: very busy, family-friendly and athletic plus a smattering of neighbourhood beach babes. After doing some lengths here treat yourself to a nibble at the adjoining concession. Open until September 14.
Second Beach Pool (Stanley Park Drive) – The closest pool to downtown Vancouver, Second Beach Pool sits next to…you guessed it, Second Beach in Stanley Park. The pool is 80 metres long with a sloped entrance in the shallow end for the wee ones. Length lanes sit in the 50 metre section of the pool. Due to the pool’s location it can be very busy, lining up at 2:00 p.m. like a night club on Granville Street so go early or be prepared to wait. Open until September 1.
Maple Grove Pool (6875 Yew Street) – If you’re a new mom/dad, have visiting littles or just feel like sitting or wading, instead of swimming then Maple Grove is your pool. Situated in the heart of Kerrisdale, Maple Grove is one of the most economical to visit with a $2.50 entrance fee. Open until September 1.
Hillcrest Aquatic Centre (4575 Clancy Loranger Way) – The city’s largest aquatic centre includes a large indoor pool and hot tub and small outdoor pool. The 25 metre pool is located in the heart of Mount Pleasant and was built as a legacy facility of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver. I’d suggest spending some time at Hillcrest outdoor pool and then catch a Vancouver Canadians game next door at Nat Bailey Stadium. Open until September 1.
New Brighton Pool || Photo Credit: Flickr/Creative Commons Martin Chady
New Brighton Pool (North Windermere Street in New Brighton Park) – This is my favourite pool in Vancouver. It’s a modest, 25 metre heated pool filled with families, local swim club members and the odd god/goddess. The view of Mt. Seymour, the North Shore and busy Port of Vancouver is great. I suggest spending an afternoon at New Brighton and then rendez-vous with friends in the park for a sunset BBQ. Open until September 1.
