Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has come out in favour of abolishing the COVID-era reservation system at Kits Pool, urging the Park Board to take action.His comments come just hours before Commissioner Marie-Claire Howard is set to present a motion at the board's last meeting of the summer.."Kits Pool should be open to everyone," Sim wrote in a letter to Park Board commissioners posted to X. "As one of Vancouver's most cherished public amenities, I am disappointed that access has been limited by a new booking system, which has created needless complexity and unnecessary barriers for many who simply want to enjoy the pool as they always have; freely and spontaneously."He went on to urge commissioners to support Howard's motion and return to the pre-pandemic system."Government bodies need to ready to adapt themselves when systems fail," Sim continued. "I'm encouraged to see that Commissioner Howard is responding to the widespread public outcry. Today is your last meeting until September 15. Do not waste this opportunity to restore public access to Kits Pool this summer.".Howard announced last week that she'd submitted the motion, noting that she'd "heard loud and clear the current system isn't working.".'Better late than never': Park Board to hear motion calling for end to COVID-era reservation system at Kits Pool.Among those who celebrated the move was renowned sports broadcaster and Vancouver resident Jody Vance, who has been at the forefront of the crusade to restore Kits Pool to its pre-COVID state.In a recent interview with the Western Standard, Vance called the whole situation — and the Park Board's response — "outrageous," lamenting the fact that "this incredible community asset is being kept from a generation of families as all spontaneity is gone."She went on to explain that four times a day, the pool is completely closed for "changeovers," which often result in the formation of "massive lines" in the hot sun.
