They shared childhood memories, they showed family photos, they even sang modified Christmas carols.
Residents rallying to keep two local communities pools were out in force Monday night as park board commissioners began consideration of a long-term plan for the city’s aquatic facilities.
More than 60 residents signed up to speak at the meeting, which will continue Tuesday as only about a dozen people were able to speak after a report from staff and an initial round of questions from commissioners.
While the plan includes changes for many aspects of Vancouver’s aquatic amenities, indoor and outdoor pools, wading pools, spray parks and beaches, all of the residents who spoke Monday night addressed one subject — the importance of maintaining the city’s community pools.
In a previous version of the plan, Lord Byng and Templeton pools were slated for demolition. They were to be replaced by new, larger destination pools at Connaught Park and Britannia Community Centre. The recommendations were revised for the final report, which was presented to commissioners for a decision this week. The revised report stated the pools will remain open pending a review of the impacts of the new pools and consultation with pool users, the community and key stakeholders.
The message from the speakers Monday was clear — go ahead and build the bigger pools, but keep the community pools open as well.
Many spoke about the unique sense of community that is fostered at the smaller pools.
Tom Perry, a supporter of Lord Byng pool, used his allotted five minutes to lead many in the audience in a round of modified versions of Christmas carols, including Long Live the Pool (sung to the tune of Joy to the World), God Rest Ye Park Commissioners and We Fish You a Swimmy Christmas.
Supporters of Lord Byng Pool have a musical message for @ParkBoard Commissioners. Very well sung indeed. pic.twitter.com/rvmv2CYoVU
— Catherine Evans (@catherineevans) December 12, 2017
Disability advocate Jill Weiss told commissioners that the larger pools are too crowded for many seniors and people with disabilities.
“It’s not safe for many of us to swim in a crowded pool,” she said, adding she has suffered injuries after being kicked and jostled while swimming in a busy pool.
Weiss became emotional telling commissioners about the positive impact going to her local pool had on her life following a car accident that left her disabled.
“The community at Templeton is one of the joys of my life,” she said.
According to information provided by the park board, the pools at Templeton and Lord Byng, as well as pools at Vancouver Aquatic Centre, Kerrisdale, Britannia, are nearing the end of their lifespan, are the least used, least efficient and require the most investment to operate. These pools make up 34 per cent of all visits to indoor pools. Conversely, the city’s newest and renovated pools — Renfrew, Killarney and Hillcrest — are the best utilized and the most “financially efficient.”
Julia Mitchell showed photos of her two children at Lord Byng pool and told commissioners that “public facilities should not be measured by profitability only.”
The meeting continues Tuesday night starting at 6 p.m. at the park board office in Stanley Park.
@JessicaEKerr
