With high temperatures beating down on the Lower Mainland this week, a lot of Vancouverites will be looking for ways to escape the heat.
But some visitors to Vancouver’s Kitsilano Pool aren’t too happy with a new booking system.
After weeks of delay, the iconic pool finally reopened late last month, but the city has opted to manage demand by implementing an online reservation system, forcing hopeful swimmers to buy a ticket for a select time to guarantee entry.
Drop-in visits are still allowed, but the city explains that those will account for just 20 per cent of the available spaces.
1130 NewsRadio heard mixed reactions to the system from residents, including some who say it’s unnecessary.
“There was a point in COVID — in having it closed for half an hour to clean it. There’s not a point now,” said one poolgoer.
“It’s just inconvenient. It’s one of those things: when you get to the pool, it’s nice to just walk in and out at your own leisure in the summer,” said another.
Others still feel the system works as intended.
“I guess I’ve just gotten used to it. It works for me; I’m a lap swimmer. I don’t lie around the pool all day and get suntanned,” said one.
“Either way, it’s real easy to make reservations,” said another.
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Park Board Commissioner Brennan Bastyovanszky says they kept the system in place because of past complaints of long lines.
“We would be swamped with complaints about people having to wait in line in the baking sun,” said Bastyovanszky.
He says making a reservation at the pool is no different than booking a table at a restaurant or reserving a seat at the movie theatre.
