Canada’s longest public outdoor pool recently opened for the season, even as it faces an uncertain future.

Located at Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver, the tidal pool is a popular summer destination. Carved into the ocean’s edge, the pool’s location adjacent to English Bay exposes it to hazards such as storm surge and sea level rise. The saltwater pool sits entirely within a designated floodplain and wave hazard zone. The pool deck is 2 m (6.5 ft) below the city’s current flood construction level bylaw.

Because of these hazards and deteriorating components, the City of Vancouver says the pool has reached the end of its functional life. Paired with damage from past storms, opening the pool each season is more complex, the city adds.

Three options

In March, a memo prepared by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation offered three options—ranging from $40 million to $300 million—to renew the pool to better withstand climate change and storms.

The first option will make limited modifications to protect the pool for up to 15 years. The second option, costing $90 million, will renovate the facility and extend its lifespan by 30 years. The last and most expensive option is to build a new outdoor pool on a relocated site. This ensures long-term viability for at least 70 years.

The city council has not yet decided on an option. Before advancing work, the city will seek final decisions from the Board of Parks and Recreation on setting priorities and the city council on overall funding through the 2027–2030 Capital Plan approval process.

The first Kits Pool opened in 1931. In 1978, a new pool was built over the old one to comply with changing health regulations regarding water quality.