ABC Vancouver Promises Free Swim Lessons, New Pools, and Free Parking at Beaches
Mayor Ken Sim's party released its 'Raising Vancouver' plan on September 28, listing recreation and child-care promises including free introductory swim lessons for children aged 3 to 12 and a larger pool at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.
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ABC Vancouver released the second part of its 2026 election platform on September 28, Daily Hive Vancouver reported. The plan, called "Raising Vancouver," covers recreation, parks, child care, and schools.
Mayor Ken Sim said in a statement quoted by Daily Hive: "Families experience the pressures facing our city every day, whether it's trying to find a swimming lesson, securing child care..."
What the plan promises for swimming
Daily Hive reported that ABC Vancouver would offer free introductory swim lessons for children aged 3 to 12, covering the first three levels of the Joe Fortes Learn-to-Swim program.
The party also says it would change the Vancouver Aquatic Centre redevelopment to include a 50-metre lap pool instead of the 25-metre pool in the current design. Daily Hive reported the redevelopment carries a total stated cost of $175 million, with $103 million in borrowing that voters approved in the 2022 civic election plebiscite. The party says it would also build two new outdoor pools at Sunset and Marpole community centres, and provide free admission to pools and community centres for children in care under the age of 18.
The plan also restores open access at Kitsilano Pool, according to Daily Hive.
Parking and parks
Daily Hive reported that ABC Vancouver would eliminate paid parking at Jericho Beach, Spanish Banks Beach, and all community centres across the city. The Daily Hive report included no cost estimate for this change.
Other parks commitments listed by Daily Hive include a Playground Improvement Fund, doubling the number of designated dog parks and off-leash areas, and restoring the Stanley Park Train with seasonal events. The party also says it will build additional ice rinks.
Child care and community infrastructure
Daily Hive reported that ABC Vancouver plans to expand child-care partnerships and build a new River District Community Centre. The party says it opened more than 2,000 child-care spaces during the current council term; Daily Hive attributed that figure to ABC Vancouver. The plan also names the Punjabi Gate on Main Street near East 50th Avenue, a project Daily Hive noted was originally promised for the 2010 Olympics but was never built.
The platform is the second of two parts. ABC released the first part, called "Restoring Vancouver," the previous week.
Voters can read Ken Sim's full candidate profile and compare party platforms at /parties/abc-vancouver. The election takes place on October 17, 2026, and voting information is at /where-to-vote.
Questions this story answers
What is ABC Vancouver's 'Raising Vancouver' plan?
Daily Hive reported on September 29 that ABC Vancouver released its 'Raising Vancouver' platform on September 28, 2026. The plan is the second part of ABC's two-part platform for the October 2026 election, following 'Restoring Vancouver' from the previous week. According to Daily Hive, it covers recreation, parks, child care, and schools. The party says the plan responds to pressures that families face daily in Vancouver.
What does ABC Vancouver promise for swimming and pools?
According to Daily Hive's September 29 report, ABC Vancouver promises free introductory swim lessons covering the first three levels of the Joe Fortes Learn-to-Swim program for children aged 3 to 12. The party also says it would change the Vancouver Aquatic Centre redevelopment to include a 50-metre lap pool instead of the 25-metre pool in the current plans. Daily Hive reported the aquatic centre redevelopment carries a total cost of $175 million and requires $103 million in borrowing that voters approved in the 2022 civic election. ABC also promises two new outdoor pools at Sunset and Marpole community centres, and free pool and community centre admission for children in care under 18.
What does ABC Vancouver promise about parking at beaches and community centres?
Daily Hive reported on September 29 that ABC Vancouver's plan would eliminate paid parking at Jericho Beach, Spanish Banks Beach, and community centres across Vancouver. The party frames this as part of making recreation more accessible to families. No cost estimate for this change was included in the Daily Hive report.
What other recreation and parks promises does ABC Vancouver make?
Daily Hive reported that ABC Vancouver's plan includes a Playground Improvement Fund for upgrades and maintenance, doubling designated dog parks and off-leash areas, and restoring the Stanley Park Train with seasonal events. The party also commits to open access at Kitsilano Pool and building additional ice rinks. No cost figures for these items were included in the Daily Hive report.
What does ABC Vancouver promise about the Punjabi Gate?
Daily Hive reported on September 29 that ABC Vancouver's plan includes completing the Punjabi Gate on Main Street near East 50th Avenue. The report noted the gate was originally promised for the 2010 Olympics but was never built. No cost figure for the gate appeared in the Daily Hive report.
What does ABC Vancouver promise for child care?
Daily Hive reported that ABC Vancouver's plan includes expanded child-care partnerships and a new River District Community Centre. The party claims to have opened more than 2,000 child-care spaces during the current council term, though Daily Hive attributed that figure to ABC Vancouver and did not independently verify it. The new platform commits to further expanding those partnerships, without naming a specific new number of spaces.
Who is Ken Sim and what party does he lead?
Ken Sim is the current Mayor of Vancouver and the mayoral candidate for ABC Vancouver in the October 17, 2026 election. ABC Vancouver is one of 11 parties running candidates in this election. His full candidate profile is at /candidates/ken-sim and the party's page is at /parties/abc-vancouver.
When is the Vancouver election and where can I compare party platforms?
The Vancouver municipal election takes place on October 17, 2026. Voters choose a mayor, city councillors, park board commissioners, and school board trustees. You can compare what each party has promised by visiting each party's page at /parties, or read Ken Sim's full profile at /candidates/ken-sim. Voting information including polling places is at /where-to-vote.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
- Daily Hive Vancouver, September 29, 2026dailyhive.com
- ABC Vancouver party pageabcvancouver.ca
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