Kits Pool Swimmers Update April 2023
Hello Kits Pool Swimmers,
As the outdoor pool season approaches, we are providing this update from our multiple discussions with the Parks Board for your consideration. We appreciate your interest and continuing support as the number of people signing up is increasing steadily. We anticipate strong growth over the summer to demonstrate to elected officials and the operational staff that Kits Pool is supported by a highly engaged community that desires an extended swimming season at one of the world’s most unique pools.
Top Points
Kits Pool will not open early this season due to ongoing repairs – see details below
Kits Pool Swimmers is now focused on meeting with Parks Board Commissioners to raise awareness on its goal to extend the Kits Pool Season with the support of a highly engaged community
Encourage your friends and colleagues to sign up for Kits Pool Swimmers, survey is coming
Long Term
In our efforts to promote an extended season for Kits Pool beginning this year, we have been basing the initial engagements on the VanSplash recommendation and subsequent motion from November 2019 which was intended to pilot an extended season in 2020 – momentum on this initiative with the previous elected Commissioners was derailed by COVID 19. The wording from the motion and related link below:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
A. THAT the Vancouver Park Board approve a pilot to extend the regular 2020 swimming season at Kitsilano and New Brighton Outdoor Pools by opening 2-3 weeks earlier in the spring and closing 3-4 weeks later in the fall; and
B. FURTHER THAT Park Board staff analyze the costs, benefits, and impacts of this extended outdoor pool season pilot and report back to the Board with recommendations for the 2021 season.
Motion to Refer
MOVED by Commissioner Mackinnon
SECONDED by Commissioner Dumont
THAT the motion be referred to staff for an analysis of the budget and human resource implications of extending the outdoor pool season and the anticipated demand during an extended outdoor pool season.
CARRIED
(Commissioners Barker, Coupar,& Irwin opposed)
Having dealt to this point with Parks Board Staff, we are now in the process of engaging the newly elected Parks Board Commissioners to introduce Kits Pool Swimmers and raise awareness on this Motion to Refer (highlighted) as it has not been brought to the Commissioners based on our understanding.
Short Term
We have been told that due to the repairs, and the requirements for extended periods of dry, warm temperatures to properly caulk the cracks in the basin, conditions which are also required to lock in the warranty for the caulking, “there is no possibility of the pool opening prior to the Victoria Day Weekend this season.” It has been communicated that it is the Parks Board’s goal to open the pool on that weekend and they are working towards that date on all fronts. Below you will find the update from the Parks Board Staff on the work being done at Kits Pool:
Kits Pool Maintenance and Repair Update from Vancouver Parks Board
Following the extreme weather and storm that impacted and damaged the Kitsilano Pool in early 2022, inspections performed by the City and external consultants determined that the structural condition of the pool would require a significant engineering review prior to opening for the 2022 season. This review detailed damage to the pool basin, the pool structure and perimeter drains.
Structural, marine and geotechnical inspections were carried out, which provided scope, a program and schedule for the initial repairs that enabled the pool to be open for the shorter season in 2022. Further structural inspections are required in 2023.
Following the 2022 season, the works that have been undertaken included installing new dewatering pumps, replacing a range of plant and plumbing equipment, repairing pool gutters, repairing the seawall valves and prepping 15 of 16 cracks ready for caulking in the future. This process requires 72 hours of complete dryness before application, and only able to be applied in conditions with temperatures consistently above 10 Celsius and below 90% humidity.
This news means that our efforts for this year will be focused on extending the season beyond the scheduled closing date in September, rather than at both the start and end of the historical seasonal window.
We will be sending out a survey to everyone who has signed up later this month. So that as many people as possible can be represented in the results, please encourage your network to join Kits Pool Swimmers by signing up at the website, https://www.kitspoolswimmers.org/
If you want to reach out directly, please email us at info@kitspoolswimmers.org
On behalf of Kits Pool Swimmers,
Anthony Abrahams, Jarrett Vaughan, KC Emerson, Ben Aston, Mark Monro, Stephanie Strong, Navarre Bailey, Tricia Daum.