For nearly a hundred years, residents of Vancouver simply walked down to Kistilano Pool and went swimming pretty much whenever they felt like it. That all came to an end during the Covid-19 pandemic, when reservation-only attendance was — rightly — implemented to prevent the spread of the virus.As the situation improved and plague-related restrictions were gradually lifted, many expected the city to do away with the policy, but while it was amended to allow for some drop-ins, the vast majority of the slots were set aside for those with the foresight and ability to book ahead online.According to the Park Board, around 80% of the pool's capacity is currently allocated to reservations, leaving swimmers who are more spontaneous or less technologically-inclined vying for a position in the remaining 20%. There are four time slots available per day, 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m., each one lasting two-and-a-half hours.Whether visitors pay regular price, or $0.59 + tax with a OneCard, they can only do so with a credit card via Showpass. Only Leisure Access Pass holders who want to reserve don't have to pay anything..The decision to hold on to the Covid-era online reservation policy has angered many residents, and calls have mounted on the city to reverse course and restore their pre-pandemic freedom."I don't have [a cellphone]," one elderly woman told the Western Standard while standing in line first thing Friday morning. "Yesterday I was told, 'well use your phone,' and when I said I don't have one, she looked at me like I came from another planet."Another swimmer argued that the city had sacrificed "the well being of people and family" at the altar of "money and power," pointing out that the pool used to be free and was "for the community" to use.In an interview with the Western Standard, renowned sports broadcaster and Vancouver resident Jody 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.."The excuse of crowd control 'in the name of safety' is rooted in hiding budget mismanagement," Vance argued. "Other municipalities have this figured out, why can't Vancouver?"Her sentiments were shared by a fellow resident, David Fine, who said he was "baffled by the park boards attitude.""Before the pandemic, no one was complaining about the way it worked," he told the Western Standard. "If you wanted to go swimming, you could usually go down any time that be maybe a lineup or none, but the lineups would be minimal because it was spread out.".Fine, like many others, pointed out that even when reservations say "sold out" online, the pool is still relatively empty."We have one of the lowest pool-per-person ratios in any North American city, and certainly any Canadian city," he added. "It's ridiculous how few outdoor pools we have — so the ones we have should be utilized fully.".Numerous people told the Western Standard that a shortage of lifeguards has been an issue. While the city does subsidize courses via the Leisure Access Program, only low income residents are eligible. Others must pay the full amount, which can often be prohibitive for younger hopefuls. The aforementioned elderly woman noted that everyone would stand to benefit if the subsidies were extended to anyone who wants to be a lifeguard, regardless of income.Another resident and avid swimmer argued that perhaps the problem was not with the reservations themselves, but how they're being allocated. She proposed reducing the ratio of reserved spots to drop-ins, and setting aside a certain percentage for those who live within a certain distance from the pool, thus giving them first dibs..In a statement to the Western Standard, the Park Board cast doubt on claims that backlash to the policy was "widespread," suggesting that "concerns have primarily come from a small number of vocal residents.""As demand has steadily increased over the years, the online reservation system has become an essential tool for managing visitor volumes safely and efficiently," the board wrote. "It also enhances the guest experience by allowing people to plan their visits with greater ease." The board noted that "in 2024, only two days reached full reservation capacity across all sessions — indicating that availability was generally consistent," but admitted that "during peak periods and extreme heat events, high-demand sessions can fill quickly, which may limit access for drop-in visitors.".While no hard data exists for 2025, evidence shared by users has shown that this year, reserved spots have routinely sold out one, or even two days in advance."Most users report satisfaction with the system," the board concluded, "and we continue to monitor usage trends closely. We remain committed to making adjustments as needed to ensure the system remains accessible, responsive, and user-friendly."The current pool was built in 1978 and has sustained a fair amount of damage due to storms and general use. It is set to be replaced in the coming years.
