Park Board votes to keep 50m lanes at Vancouver Aquatic Centre

The Vancouver Park Board has listened to the thousands of people angry over plans to make some big changes to the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.

A report from staff suggested the length of the lanes should be reduced to 25 metres to cut costs when the crumbling structure is replaced.

That proposed $170-million project at the VAC included a smaller pool, as well as a leisure pool, new dive towers, and a modern fitness centre. According to the park board, the current 50-metre pool doesn’t meet modern standards for competition or accessibility and the board said it risks losing the initial funding if construction is delayed.

But an online petition urged the park board to reconsider its plans.

“We urge our Park Board and City Council to consider a responsible and forward-thinking approach of building a new 50-meter pool while preserving our existing facilities,” the change.org petition said.

Instead of moving ahead with the suggestions of staff, commissioners decided on Tuesday night to give staff another month to come back with a new plan that includes 50-metre lanes.

With files from Joe Sadowski.