Vancouver Park Board plans smaller pool for new Aquatic Centre amid backlash

The Vancouver Park Board's proposed design for a new Aquatic Centre has sparked significant public backlash, particularly over plans to replace the existing 50-metre Olympic-sized pool with a smaller 25-metre lap pool. Critics, including swim clubs and local athletes, argue that this change will severely limit training opportunities and negatively impact programming. An online petition opposing the proposal has quickly gathered over 6,700 signatures, highlighting the community's dissatisfaction. Park Board staff defend the design, citing lower usage rates for the 50-metre pool and the need for a facility that accommodates a wider range of community activities, including a leisure pool. The project is constrained by the site's limited footprint and rising costs, now estimated at $170 million, which has led to a scaled-back design compared to initial plans. As the project moves forward, the Park Board is set to review the preliminary design, balancing community needs with logistical challenges.