If everything goes according to plan, Vancouver's Kitsilano Pool will reopen for the May long weekend.
After significant leaks and issues were found with the structure last year, concerns were raised about the viability of the pool in the short term. Carrie Hughes, director of facilities management for the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, told park board commissioners that a leak spilling 30,000 litres an hour still exists at an April 8 meeting.
"Most of that is actually seawater. So seawater is coming into the pool and then leaking out," she noted.
Crushed pipes, failing expansion joints, and cracking in the pool basin have been found.
Despite the issues, the plan is to open the pool, with repairs continuing into the fall of 2024.
"We do know that we're not going to get everything completed before the pool opens," Hughes told commissioners. "We're making every effort to ensure the pool will be opened and very usable throughout the season."
The opening may be delayed, depending on the weather, Hughes noted. A two-week period is needed for curing to take place; that period needs to be warm (staying at or above 10 C even at night) and relatively dry.
At the same time, the intention is for the Kitsilano Showboat, which was damaged in a fire last year, to also reopen for the summer.
"My understanding is the showboat will open for the season," Hughes told commissioners.
She notes there has been a report to make sure reopening is safe and feasible.
"Unless we're told otherwise we're working towards reopening," Hughes said.
