After a delayed starts to the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a handful of Vancouver’s outdoor pools will be reopening July 13, 2020, including North America’s longest saltwater pool, Kits Pool.

The History of Kits Pool

When it opened, it was “America’s Largest Swimming Pool. Chuck Davis’s History of Metropolitan Vancouver documents the pool’s beginnings in this excerpt from 1931:

1931. Archives# Be N51.2

“On August 15 we marked the official opening at Kitsilano Beach of the Kitsilano salt-water swimming pool, the largest of its kind in North America. Kits Pool was 200 by 60 metres [660 x 200 feet], cost $50,000 to build, and was greeted in perfect weather by a crowd of 5,000 who waited impatiently for the inevitable opening speeches before diving in.

The original pool would be replaced in 1979 by a gigantic saltwater tank, 150 metres across and filled with heated water. Kits Beach is in an area originally known as Greer’s Beach, named for the pioneer who unsuccessfully challenged the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) takeover of his homestead here in 1891.”

The pool would lock ocean water in place, giving bathers a place to swim during low tide; Kitsilano Pool even had a sandy bottom until it was filled in with cement in the 60s. 

1933. James Crookall Photo. Archives# CVA 260-1420

The Vancouver Open Water Swim Association‘s Bay Challenge may have unofficially started with Percy Norman. In the 1930s, Norman led 40 swimmers across the chilly waters to commemorate the opening of the original Kits Pool on August 16th, 1931.

From the Globe and Mail in 2013: “When the pool was first built (for $50,000), plugs were simply opened and it was filled by tidal flow from English Bay. After the facility was refurbished (in 1978 for $2.2-million), a pump system was installed.”

1937. Archives# Be P112.10

In 2017, Glenn Schultz, the Vancouver Park Board’s supervisor of beaches and outdoor pools, told the CBC that since the City’s three outdoor pools (Kits, New Brighton, Second Beach) drew their water from the ocean, sometimes you’d get unwanted visitors in the pool water.

“Every once in a while you would get a mud shark in the pool which would maybe freak out people,” Schultz said. “People would see this, these fins going along, and they would freak out at that.” Small octopuses would also sometimes make their way into the water, but Schultz said it was mostly seaweed that would flow in. Twice a week, staff would then empty the tanks to clean them by spraying them down with firehoses. Occasionally, the pools shut down because the water they drew was too polluted to swim in.

Photo by David J Greer on Flickr

In 2018, the pool underwent renovations that included removal and replacement of the pool basin membrane, repairs to the pool deck, and addition of pumps to replenish sea water and for dewatering. Improvements to the concrete, new pool coating, and control joints meant less water would escape. Prior to the upgrades 430,000 gallons of potable water were used a month to top the pool.

Also that year, Red Bull declared Kits Pool #3 on the list of “World’s Sexiest Pools to Train In”.

Photo by David J Greer on Flickr

For the summer of 2020, Kits Pool is opening later than usual this year due to prevention of the spread of novel coronavirus. CTV has the details:

Outdoor pools will be open for a combination of lap swimming and public swimming sessions. Those who plan to use the pools need to arrive already in their swim suits, as change rooms will not be open. Washrooms will be open, however. Physical distancing protocols will be in place at entrances and exits throughout the facilities, the city says.

Lap swimmers will have to book a 45-minute period, while casual swimmers can book 90 minutes. Between appointments, there will be a half-hour “buffer” where facilities will be sanitized and prepared for the next group, the city says. Admission to pools will be partly managed by online reservations, though swim periods can be booked by in-person drop-ins as well.

All payments will be contactless and electronic, meaning cash will not be accepted. Park Board Flexi passes also can’t be used, though Leisure Access Pass holders can make reservations.

Follow the Vancouver Park Board on Twitter for the latest news.

The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art has reopened and will be celebrating the milestone centennial birthday of Bill Reid (1920–1998) with an exhibition about his extraordinary life and legacy, To Speak With a Golden Voice, from July 16, 2020 to April 11, 2021.

To Speak With a Golden Voice

• Where: 639 Hornby St, Vancouver
• When: July 16, 2020 – April 11, 2021
  • Closed Mon/Tues, open Wed-Sun 11:00am to 5:00pm
• Admission: Purchase online in advance

Guest curated by Gwaai Edenshaw — considered to be Reid’s last apprentice — the group exhibition includes rarely seen treasures by Reid and works from artists such as Robert Davidson and Beau Dick. Tracing the iconic Haida artist’s lasting influence, two new artworks by contemporary artist Cori Savard (Haida) and singer-songwriter Kinnie Starr (Mohawk/Dutch/German//Irish) will be created for this highly anticipated exhibition.

“Bill Reid was a master goldsmith, sculptor, community activist, and mentor whose lasting legacy and influence has been cemented by his fusion of Haida traditions with his own modernist aesthetic,” says Edenshaw. “Just about every Northwest Coast artist working today has a connection or link to Reid. Before he became renowned for his artwork, he was a CBC radio announcer recognized for his memorable voice — in fact, one of Reid’s many Haida names was Kihlguulins, or ‘golden voice.’ His role as a public figure helped him become a pivotal force in the resurgence of Northwest Coast art, introducing the world to its importance and empowering generations of artists.”

To Speak With a Golden Voice will provide new insights into the nuanced facets and creative complexities of Reid’s life and legacy. The exhibition will follow four thematic threads, beginning with Voice, a look at Reid’s career at CBC and his prolific writings, including archival recordings of his thoughts on Northwest Coast art. Voice will be central to the exhibition, including audio narratives, literary excerpts, and a commissioned sound-based artwork by Kinnie Starr that incorporates Reid’s voice. 

The second thread will be an examination of Reid’s creative journey, or Process, which was affected by the many colonial policies still in place during the 1950s when he began exploring his heritage. The exhibition will include rarely seen sketchbooks, drawings, paper maquettes, casting molds, and works in progress from private and public collections.

The third thread will be a study of Lineage, with works by Reid’s contemporaries and the successors who considered him an influence. Artists will include Robert Davidson, Beau Dick and Joe David, as well as others who never met Reid but found inspiration in his life and career. Haida artist Cori Savard will create a new work based on Reid’s deep-rooted impact on Indigenous and Haida art.

In the final thread of Legacy, Reid’s multi-faceted and occasionally controversial life will be given fresh perspective. Departing from the public persona and staid portrait of the artist, the exhibition will provide new insights through the voices and stories of those who personally knew him. Short films featuring interviews with George Rammell, Don Yeomans, Rick Adkins, Chief 7idansuu James Hart, and more will be on display. 

Bill’s Birthday Bash

The gallery will publish a new exhibition catalogue in the fall of 2020 with essays by curator Edenshaw, Nika Collison, Martine Reid, and more. 

In honour of Bill Reid’s centennial, a weekend of special events will ensue on August 15 & 16, 2020. Bill’s Birthday Bash will include artist demonstrations, artist interviews, and exhibition tours via livestream. A limited number of free admission tickets for entry to the gallery will be available. Pre-book early to reserve your birthday bash entry. Follow the gallery on Facebook for more info.

Win Tickets

I have a pair of admission passes to give away to this exhibit starting July 16th. Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Click below to post an entry on Twitter

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, June 29, 2020. UPDATE The winner is Lynda!

Variety Mobility Day will return for its second year on Wednesday, June 24th with a series of online programming to celebrate accessibility and inclusiveness.

Variety Mobility Day

Where: Facebook Live
When: Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Live programming from 10:30am, with a virtual concert with The Washboard Union at 7:00pm. There will also be an Adaptive Bike presentation to Ethan, a 6-year old boy from the Sunshine Coast who was diagnosed with Nemaline Myopathy, a congenital, hereditary neuromuscular disorder Facebook Live at 1:00pm.

“Many children with disabilities and their families have been staying inside these days making mobility more important than ever,” says Marco Pasqua, Public Speaker, Entrepreneur & Variety Mobility Day Honourary Chair. “That’s why supporting Variety Mobility Day enables these amazing children in our community to have the opportunity to stay active with our special trikes … keeping them fit and encouraging them to get outside as much as possible. I’m so excited that I’m able to participate in Mobility Day again this year especially to encourage Canadians to stay positive and fit as we head into summer.”

This year, Variety is asking you to share your #MobilityMoment with them on social media, whatever that means for you. Going for a swim, bike ride, walk or run; how have you been keeping your body moving while focussing on physical distancing?

Last year’s inaugural celebration included a Block Party and a Sunshine Family Van presentation. The day also saw British Columbians come together to fund ten Adaptive Trikes in BC’s five health regions.

To help Variety reach their goal of $10,000 to fund essential mobility equipment, you can donate online or by texting “KIDS” to 45678 to make an automatic $20 contribution.

Miss604’s Rebecca Bollwitt is the Secretary of the Board of Directors for Variety – the Children’s Charity of BC

After a lengthy e-meeting on Thursday night, public speakers, discussion, debate, and a vote in the wee hours of Friday morning, the Vancouver Park Board voted to partially reopen Stanley Park to vehicle traffic as early as next week.

Stanley Park Will Partially Reopen to Vehicles

Read the full statement from the Park Board here

The opening will come with temporary measures to provide modified access to vehicle traffic to support businesses, individuals, and park partner needs. The reopen will see one lane of Park Drive designated for vehicles, while the other will be reserved for cyclists to allow for adequate physical distancing inside the park as the province readies itself to enter phase three of BC’s Restart Plan.

The Board has directed staff to take urgent action on this decision and to collaborate with park partners to ensure vehicles will be able to access all park facilities as soon as possible. 

Staff will continue work on the reopening plan, which was paused pending the outcome of the Board’s decision. They expect the park could be ready for shared vehicle and cyclist traffic by early next week.

Seawall Reserved for Pedestrian Use Only

The plan will route cyclists along the right hand lane of Park Drive, with all motor vehicle traffic using the left lane. Lanes will be demarcated with a series of cones and traffic delineators, with extensive signage to support all roadway users. Under this plan, cyclists will remain on the roadways and not on the seawall, which will continue to be reserved for pedestrian use only. 

The plan is temporary and in response to increased park user demands as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Park Board anticipates the plan will be in place through the summer and notes changes in the pandemic may alter future usage further.

“We need to return vehicle traffic to the park and I think this plan delivers an appropriate balance of the accessibility needs of businesses and individuals, while placing a priority on health and safety,” said Camil Dumont, Chair of the Vancouver Park Board. “I want to remind people that this plan is flexible and will evolve based on feedback from our users and partners, as well as further consultation. I also want to remind Vancouverites that particularly while we are in the midst of a pandemic, we need to remain calm, respectful, and to support each other through this difficult time.” 

The Park Board closed Stanley Park to vehicle traffic on April 8th in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The park was closed to vehicles in an effort to increase outdoor space for residents of the city and to allow for adequate physical distancing.

In recent weeks, the Park Board has reopened golf courses, VanDusen Botanical Garden, tennis and pickleball courts, skate parks, synthetic sports fields, basketball and volleyball courts, disc golf, roller hockey, multisport courts, playgrounds, and pitch and putt.

Related: Are you looking to walk up to Prospect Point or other destinations in the park? I feature a few of my favourite trails here, here, and here!

Update: The park will reopen to vehicles at 1:00pm on Monday, June 22nd.

I have been putting together “then and now” image collections since I first discovered the Vancouver Archives had an online database – about 11 years ago. I have also been publishing on WordPress since 2006, and with the recent introduction of the Gutenberg editor, I have come to enjoy some of the new WYSIWYG editing options. One such option is the Image Compare block, which I just had to try and of course the “then and now” formula seemed like a perfect fit!

Then and Now Images of Vancouver

The images on the top or left are sourced from the City of Vancouver Archives and the current “now” photos are from Google Street Views, unless otherwise noted.

The photo above is a fun one. I was randomly browsing the Archives and spotted this very distinct tree along Stanley Park Drive. It’s still standing on the side of the road, 150+ years later. My uneducated guess would be that it was already 100+ years old in 1898 so the standing stump that is there now is from the 1700s!

If you have a spot you would like me to research, let me know in the comments.