Busy Vancouver indoor pool remains closed after unexpected failure

Britannia Pool remains closed after sections of the pool basin tiles unexpectedly sloughed off, forcing the busy Vancouver indoor facility to shut down Friday evening.

Britannia Community Services Centre described the Sept. 12 closure as emergency maintenance following an unexpected failure and said the pool would remain closed until further notice.

The City of Vancouver said Park Board staff have drained the pool and completed necessary repairs to the affected basin tiles. The pool will now be refilled, treated and heated to ensure its water quality and operating conditions meet Vancouver Coastal Health requirements.

If no unforeseen issues arise during refilling and commissioning, staff are aiming to reopen the pool later this week, the City said.

Separate maintenance work at Britannia Pool, one of Vancouver’s busiest pools, is scheduled to begin in mid-January 2027 and will temporarily close the facility. The work will upgrade critical mechanical, electrical, plumbing, pool and building systems needed to keep it operating.

The closure had initially been planned for November this year, but the City of Vancouver and Park Board delayed it to help local clubs and their swimmers retain access throughout their season. The City said the scope and schedule remain under development and subject to required approvals. Staff are also reviewing capacity at the City’s recreation centres to identify opportunities to reallocate lane space and program time for current Britannia Pool users.