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Here's when outdoor pools open and lifeguards return to Vancouver beaches

Kitsilano Pool will not be opening in May
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Vancouver's outdoor swimming pools are set to open for the 2025 season. New Brighton and Second Beach pools open in May while Kitsilano Pool will open in June.

With temperatures starting to crack 20 C, many are looking at ways to cool off during the heat of the day.

For those thinking about taking a dip in an outdoor pool or at a beach, city facilities are once again about to open.

Starting May 17, two Vancouver outdoor pools and nine beaches will once again be staffed.

Outdoor pools inside Vancouver

Only two of the city's five outdoor pools are opening on May 17: New Brighton and Second Beach.

Swim times at the two pools will be broken up into four public swim periods each day:

  • 9  to 11:30 a.m. (at Second Beach this period is only on weekends and stat holiday Mondays)

  • Noon to 2:30 p.m.

  • 3 to 5:30 p.m.

  • 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Both pools will also be open Monday to Friday from 7 to 8:30 a.m. for those who want to swim lengths.

Registration for the first swim times on May 17 opens on Wednesday, May 14, at noon. Swimmers can continue to book sessions three days in advance for the remainder of the season, explains the Vancouver Park Board.

There will be limited space for drop-ins.

Maple Grove Pool won't be opening until Saturday, June 14. Hillcrest's outdoor pool will remain closed while the overall site is refitted. It is expected to open on June 30, the same day as the Hillcrest Aquatic Centre.

What's going on with Kitsilano Pool?

Vancouver's popular Kitsilano pool isn't opening up yet; the hope is for it to be ready in June at some point, according to the city.

"Kitsilano Pool is more than 50 years old and in its end-of-life phase," the Park Board notes in a news release.

Preparations to open the pool began earlier this year, but once again, "pool infrastructure issues" were found.

Lifeguards return to Vancouver beaches

As summer heat returns to Vancouver, the local beaches will see lifeguards on duty again, starting May 17.

Patrolled swimming areas will be marked by red and yellow flags from noon to 8:30 p.m. daily, according to the Park Board.

The beaches with patrolled areas are:

  • English Bay

  • Jericho

  • Kitsilano

  • Locarno

  • Spanish Banks East and West

  • Sunset

  • Second

  • Third

  • Trout Lake

Spray parks and wading pools

The city will have 12 wading pools and 13 spray parks operating this summer. Spray parks will open May 17. 

The Chaldecott Park spray park is currently closed for maintenance, and an opening date has not been set.

Wading pools will open on July 2 in general. Woodland Park will open June 29, and Robson Park will open July 1. Wading pools will have staff on site during peak times.

The Collingwood Park wading pool is closed for park renewal.

Food and beverage

Concession stands run by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation will also open up May 17.

Batch Kitsilano and the parks board will be adding DownLow Chicken to their partnership in June.

Alcohol will once again be allowed on some Vancouver beaches between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.:

  • Jericho

  • Kitsilano

  • Locarno

  • Spanish Banks East and West

  • Second

  • Trout Lake

Alcohol will not be permitted at English Bay Beach, Sunset Beach, or Third Beach (in Stanley Park).

Sun-seekers are reminded to not bring any glass bottles or containers—alcoholic or otherwise—to parks and beaches, since shattered glass can endanger visitors. Instead, the Park Board recommends using cans, plastic or reusable vessels, or paper-based packaging.

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