Park board approves 25-metre pool for renovated Vancouver Aquatic Centre [Video]

A majority of Vancouver Park Board commissioners voted Monday to approve a staff plan to install a 25-metre pool as part of a renovation to the Vancouver Aquatic Centre, in a saga that has now lasted over a month.

Staff had put forward a $170-million proposal last month to renovate the West End facility near Sunset Beach, which included a 25-metre lap pool, dive platforms, a leisure pool and other recreational amenities. 

However, swim clubs were overwhelmingly against the staff proposal, with over 70 speakers telling park board commissioners that not having an Olympic-sized, 50-metre pool would limit competitive opportunities.

That prompted a majority of commissioners to ask staff to look at the 50-metre pool option, with staff given a month to do so.

WATCH | Park board staff say 50-metre pool not possible within current footprint: In the latest twist to the saga of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre renovation, park board staff released a final report that went back to the …