Swim club presses for answers after Vancouver Aquatic Centre shutdown

The Vancouver Aquatic Centre remains closed after a piece of concrete fell into the pool, affecting the Canadian Dolphins swim club, which has over 400 competitive swimmers. The club was promised 80 percent of replacement pool space, but this commitment has not been fulfilled, causing frustration among its members. Club president Jeannie Lo stated that the park board has not provided any support for space allocation during the closure. The facility is set for a $175-million retrofitting in June 2026, which will require a minimum three-year closure period. Lo argued that regular maintenance could have prevented the current issues, extending the pool's lifespan.

The city has stated that the pool will remain closed while engineers assess the damage, with no firm reopening date available. The situation raises concerns about the future of competitive swimming in the area as the club navigates this unexpected challenge. Local swimmers are left without a clear path forward as they await a response from the park board.