Vancouver delays Britannia Pool maintenance until January

The City of Vancouver says scheduled maintenance at Britannia Pool has been delayed until January. The update follows concerns from swimmers and the Canadian Dolphin Swim Club over an earlier plan to close the facility from November until the following September.

The city had said the extended closure was needed for critical mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades. It said the need for more time became clear during planning and that beginning work during the pool’s usual November maintenance closure would reduce disruption to fall programming.

The Canadian Dolphin Swim Club said it learned of the original closure only 18 days before its 2026-27 season was to begin, despite receiving city approval as recently as June to operate programming at Britannia. The club has nearly 240 swimmers registered this year and said the loss of the 25-metre pool would particularly affect younger swimmers.

The group has also been affected by the recent closure of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre. Its weekly Britannia allocation fell from about 45 hours last year to 34 hours this year. Treasurer Carola Mansfield said some alternative pool times offered by the city did not work for children or coaches already committed to other schedules.

The city acknowledged that reduced pool capacity is challenging aquatic user groups and said staff would continue helping them find alternatives. Park Board commissioner Scott Jensen had opposed the long closure, saying Britannia should remain open until the planned $175-million replacement for the Vancouver Aquatic Centre is built.