The Vancouver Park Board states that it will delay the annual opening of its five outdoor pools and will not immediately provide lifeguards at its nine bathing beaches while conducting a thorough review of how to protect swimmers and staff from the risk of COVID-19.
Typically, the Park Board opens the outdoor pools at Second Beach, Kitsilano Beach, New Brighton Park, Maple Grove Park, and Hillcrest Aquatic Centre and provides lifeguards at public swimming beaches in the city for May long weekend. However, the COVID-19 pandemic will put the decades-long tradition on hold.
“The impacts of COVID-19 on our daily life and recreation habits have been difficult for many in our community and we understand this is not welcome news for Vancouver, but public safety is our top priority and unfortunately we are not in a position to open this weekend,” said Daisy Chin, Director of Recreation for the Vancouver Park Board.
Along with other municipal outdoor pool operators, the Park Board is awaiting new operating guidelines from Lifesaving Society Canada to help guide revised procedures to safely support swimmers at both pools and beaches during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Society’s report-back is expected at the end of May and will include new procedures for lifeguards to protect themselves from exposure to COVID-19 during rescues, including new in-water rescue techniques, modified first aid and resuscitation protocols, and the proper use of personal protective equipment.
The Park Board says it will move quickly to hire and train staff once a new plan is developed.
Vancouver beaches have remained open during the pandemic and will continue to be open this weekend. The major change will be that lifeguards will not be on duty and rafts at English Bay, Jericho, Kitsilano and Locarno beaches will not be installed.
The Park Board typically provides lifeguards at its nine beaches for 16 weeks during the summer, staffing them from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. The beaches are located at Spanish Banks, Locarno, Jericho, Kitsilano, Sunset, English Bay, Second Beach, Third Beach, and Trout Lake. New signage will be present at the beaches indicating that swimmers enter the water at their own risk.
For more information about the status of services and facilities impacted by COVID-19, visit HERE
