When Dennis Forsman and his three-and-a-half-year-old son, Everett, arrived for a swim at the Aquatic Centre at Hillcrest July 14, they had no idea of the significance of their timing. It turns out Forsman was the one-millionth visitor to pass through the doors at Hillcrest since it opened to the public July 31, 2010. Park board chair Aaron Jasper, deputy general manager Peter Kuran, aquatic centre staff and pool mascot Captain Walrus were on hand to mark the occasion and present Forsman with a three-month Flexipass and a bag full of swimming gear. The Hillcrest Centre is the former site of the Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre, the official competition venue for men's and women's curling and mixed wheelchair curling during the 2010 Winter Games. The centre features indoor and outdoor pools, a 50-metre lap pool with movable floor, one, three and five-metre diving boards, leisure pool with sprays, jets, water cannons, a lazy river, 70-person hot tub, large steam room and sauna and a fitness centre. The pool was designed to provide access for families and persons with disabilities. The second phase of the recreation complex will include a new community centre and ice rink set to open in early August, followed by the curling club, library, preschool, field house and offices opening in September.
