Published: August 31, 2019
When school is out, multigenerational families flock to outdoor pools with sunshades, lawn chairs and picnic coolers in tow. Myriad languages are spoken, but the universal pool language is the delighted squeal of children splashing in the water. It really doesn’t get any better and this is why the Vancouver Park Board is planning to build another full-size outdoor pool at South Vancouver’s Marpole Community Centre.
Between 1993 and 2009, four outdoor pools – Hastings, Oak, Sunset and Mount Pleasant – reached the end of their lifespans and were shuttered.
The park board’s decision to build a new outdoor pool was not based on dollars and cents. Surveys show Vancouverites miss their outdoor pools, he says. “This reflects the views of the public.” If, as expected, summer temperatures start to last longer as a result of climate change, the outdoor pools will stay open longer too, he adds. The outdoor pools used to shut down on Labour Day, but in recent years closing dates have been extended.
Opting to build an outdoor pool at Marpole is a case where citizen demand should trump cost. But to my mind, the jury is out on Lord Byng and Templeton. If the community wants those pools saved, there’s only one way to do it. Swim.
Source: Vancouver’s outdoor pools are making a bigger splash than ever – The Globe and Mail