Judge upholds Vancouver Aquatic Centre's 25-metre pool plan against legal challenge
A court ruled the city can use $103 million in voter-approved borrowing for a facility with a shorter pool than some residents wanted.
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A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has dismissed a legal challenge to Vancouver's plan to rebuild the Aquatic Centre with a 25-metre pool instead of the 50-metre lap pool some swimmers wanted.
Justice Christopher Giaschi released his written ruling September 23, upholding the city's authority to use $103 million in borrowing that voters approved in a 2022 plebiscite question. The ballot measure asked voters to authorize funding to "replace, renew or rehabilitate" the facility — but did not specify pool length or mandate any particular amenities.
The challenge came from the Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society and Jonathan Girard, a society director and swimmer, who argued the city could only spend the money on a replacement that included a 50-metre pool. They sought to block the city and Park Board from proceeding with the shorter design.
"It was reasonable for the Park Board and the City to conclude that a new VAC with a 25-metre pool came within the borrowing plebiscite that had been approved by the electors," Giaschi wrote. "Nothing in the evidence supports the assertion that the City or the Park Board deliberately misled voters."
The judge found that while the city's capital plan and voter information package before 2022 outlined a two-phase redevelopment focused initially on renewing the 50-metre pool, those documents reflected municipal intentions at that time — not requirements for how the borrowed money could be spent. The $103 million was part of a broader $162-million plebiscite question on community facilities that received 68.4 per cent voter support.
The Aquatic Centre closed on June 28, 2026, after 52 years of operation. The city has not announced a completion timeline for the redevelopment.
What amenities beyond the 25-metre pool are included in the redevelopment?
When is the new facility expected to open?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
What size pool will the rebuilt Vancouver Aquatic Centre have?
The rebuilt Vancouver Aquatic Centre will have a 25-metre pool.
How much borrowing did voters approve for the Aquatic Centre project?
$103 million in borrowing was approved by voters in a 2022 plebiscite question for the facility.
When did the Vancouver Aquatic Centre close?
The Vancouver Aquatic Centre closed on June 28, 2026, after 52 years of operation.
Who challenged the city's 25-metre pool plan?
The Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society and Jonathan Girard, a society director and swimmer, challenged the plan, arguing the city could only spend the money on a replacement that included a 50-metre pool.
