THEN & NOW

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Second Beach in 1923. (City Archives Photo)

RELIEF FROM SUMMER IN THE CITY!

(click on images to enlarge)

Back in the day, and we’re talking the 1920s, long before the pool was built, Second Beach was a popular camping and swimming destination, with a sprinkling of summer cottages and trails for horse riding.

By the 1930s camping had been banned for obvious sanitation reasons, and that year a large "draw and fill" saltwater swimming pool was built. It operated on the principle of fresh seawater being drawn into the pool and then drained and refreshed after a week's use.

The draw and fill pool, in use until its replacement with the present heated pool in 1995, was a significant investment for the city and parks board.

Second Beach pool in 1940 (City of Vancouver ARchives)

Second Beach Pool is a heated, outdoor pool conveniently located near the beaches, trails, and forests of Stanley Park. The pool has a sloped entry, gradual depths for families, and separated lanes for lap swimmers.

Second Beach Pool stats:

  • Length: 80 m

  • 50 m section for swimming lengths

  • Wheelchair accessible

  • Aquatic wheelchairs

A more recent photo of fun at second beach pool.

  • Ramp access

  • Water wheelchair (one attendant needed to operate)

  • Leisure Access Program (LAP) is accepted

Children seven years old and under must be with a responsible guardian (16+ years old) while in the water. The guardian must wear a bathing suit and be within arms' reach of the children. One guardian can supervise up to three children.

The pool hours at Second Beach have been extended for this season due to the closure of Kits Pool. The new hours are:

Can you spot the west end journal’s editor & publisher kevin dale mckeown in this 1957 shot at the pool? That’s me, looking like I’m practicing my australian crawl strokes while only knee-deep in the pool. Couldn’t resist sharing! (Jim McKeown Photo)

  • Length swimming: 7 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. Monday to Friday only

  • Public Swimming: 9 am to 11.30 a.m., noon to 2.30 p.m., 3 pm to 5.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. daily

The Second Beach Pool has been a major part of summer fun for generations of Vancouverites’, and thousands of children over the years learned their swimming skills and safety through the Vancouver Sun Free Swim Classes program. Grab your swim suits, towels, and blankets and head to Stanley Park to enjoy this wonderful community tradition.