Kitsilano pool may not open this summer due to damage from January storm

Vancouver's Kitsilano Pool may not open this summer due to damage from a storm earlier this year, the city's park board said Tuesday.

In a video posted to the Vancouver Park Board Twitter's account, Peter Fox, the city's manager of recreation services, saidsignificant damage was found a few weeks ago followingafull inspection of the outdoorpool on the city's west side.

"This storm was unlike anything we've experienced before," Fox said.

A "king tide" along with a storm surge and strong westerly windson Jan. 7 led to extensive damage to the seawall and Jericho Pier.

Vancouver Park Board director of recreation Steve Kellocktold CBC's On The Coastthatthe storm saw water come uponto the seawall andintothe pool. At one point, the Kitsilano Showboat community stage was surrounded by water.

Kitsilano pool gets rebuilt, 1976

7 years ago

Duration 1:09

The Vancouver Park Board had to spend $1.5 million to renovate Kitsilano Pool to bring it up to modern sanitation standards

"[It] looked like an island in the centre of the seawater there because of how high the water did come up," he said.

Staff needed to wait fortides and groundwater levels to subside before inspecting the pool.

"Now, we're able to see the impacts of the damage of that storm dating back to January and, unfortunately, the damage is extensive," Kellocksaid, adding that cracks were found on the bottom of the pool tank.

Kellock said it's too soon to put a dollar figure on repairsas engineers will need around six to eight weeks to do a full assessment.

To offset the closure of the Kits pool, the park board plans to extend the hours and add lifeguards at pools at Second Beach andNew Brighton Park.