---
title: "ABC Vancouver Promises Free Swim Lessons, New Pools, and Free Parking at Beaches"
description: "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."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/news/abc-raising-vancouver-family-platform-september-29"
last_updated: "2026-10-10T04:01:15.844Z"
---

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](/candidates/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](/candidates/ken-sim) and compare party platforms at [/parties/abc-vancouver](/parties/abc-vancouver). The election takes place on October 17, 2026, and voting information is at [/where-to-vote](/where-to-vote).

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.