Inquiry into Richmond’s planned expropriation of Watermania to begin Nov. 30

An inquiry into the City of Richmond’s expropriation of Watermania from a private landowner is scheduled to begin Nov. 30. The facility, at the south end of No. 6 Road on Entertainment Boulevard, includes a city-run pool and fitness centre. The city registered an expropriation notice with the Land Title Office on July 6, 2026, saying it sought ownership in the “public interest” to ensure the “continued delivery of essential community services.” The filing also said expropriation would support “responsible long-term financial and asset management.”

The city has leased the land since 1997, and the lease was due to end in March 2027. The owner and the city began negotiating a new lease in January 2026. In the request for an inquiry, Owen Bird Law, acting for the owner, said the city offered a renewal on the same terms but at a base rent below what it was paying under the current lease. The firm further alleged that the city stopped communicating with the owner about a new lease after the owner did not accept the lower rent.

The inquiry documents say the city “chose not to include an option to buy the lands when it negotiated the lease” in 1995. They also argue that expropriation is unnecessary to maintain the “continued delivery of essential community services,” since the city could meet that objective through a new lease.

Outgoing Mayor Malcolm Brodie told Richmond News that Watermania’s expropriation falls under “parks and recreation” and that the city is “confident” it has jurisdiction to expropriate the land.

The land is valued at about $49.4 million and lies within the Cowichan Tribes claim area. The Cowichan Tribes ruling, however, affects only land owned by the city, the province and the federal government. The city, provincial government and federal government are appealing the decision. The inquiry request says that if the appeal fails, “then the Lands would be forfeited to the Cowichan Tribe and the City would have wasted at least $50 million,” rather than making the “responsible long-term financial” decision cited in the expropriation notice.

The Attorney General appointed retired B.C. Supreme Court Justice George Macintosh to oversee the inquiry. Five days have been scheduled for it.