Court of Appeal halts Vancouver Aquatic Centre demolition until November 3
B.C. Court of Appeal Justice Dickson granted an interim injunction on October 13, stopping all demolition work at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre until the day after the new Park Board takes office.
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The B.C. Court of Appeal granted an interim injunction on October 13 that stops all demolition work at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre until November 3, the day after the newly elected Park Board holds its first meeting. Justice Dickson issued the order following an application by the Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society and TEAM for a Livable Vancouver, according to Daily Hive Vancouver.
The injunction covers interior demolition, stripping, site preparation, and dismantling of the building's exterior, interior structures, and pool basins. Daily Hive Vancouver reports the ruling does not cancel the redevelopment, does not require a 50-metre pool, and does not overturn an earlier B.C. Supreme Court decision that rejected the society's main legal challenge.
What is at stake for Park Board candidates
Two TEAM Park Board candidates, Jon Girard and Mayeli Alvarez, are directors of the Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society, which brought the application. TEAM's platform calls for a replacement facility with a 50-metre lap pool. The current approved design uses a 25-metre pool as the main tank.
The injunction is set to expire on November 3, the day after the new Park Board holds its inaugural meeting on November 2. The commissioners elected on October 17 will step into those seats knowing the centre's future will be among the first items before them.
Timeline of the facility
The Vancouver Aquatic Centre closed on June 28, 2026. Demolition was set to begin October 1, 2026. The Park Board approved a plan to replace the facility, with construction planned for late 2026 or early 2027 and completion expected in 2029. That timeline is now paused while the injunction is in force.
What voters can do
Park Board commissioners are elected on the same ballot as mayor, councillors, and school board trustees on October 17. There are 85 voting locations open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can find your nearest location at /where-to-vote. Candidates for Park Board are listed at /candidates.
Questions this story answers
What did the B.C. Court of Appeal decide about the Vancouver Aquatic Centre?
On October 13, 2026, B.C. Court of Appeal Justice Dickson granted an interim injunction stopping all demolition work at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre. The injunction covers interior demolition, stripping, site preparation, and dismantling of the building's exterior, interior structures, and pool basins. It runs until November 3, 2026, as reported by Daily Hive Vancouver.
Why does the injunction end on November 3?
November 3, 2026 is the day after the newly elected Vancouver Park Board holds its inaugural meeting on November 2. The Park Board oversees parks facilities including the aquatic centre. Whoever wins the October 17 Park Board election will take office on November 2 and be in a position to act on the centre's future.
Who brought the court application?
The Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society and TEAM for a Livable Vancouver jointly applied for the injunction. Two TEAM Park Board candidates, Jon Girard and Mayeli Alvarez, are also directors of the society, according to Daily Hive Vancouver.
Does the injunction cancel the aquatic centre redevelopment?
Daily Hive Vancouver reports the ruling does not cancel the redevelopment project, does not require a 50-metre pool, and does not overturn the earlier B.C. Supreme Court decision that rejected the society's main challenge. It only pauses physical demolition work until November 3.
What does TEAM for a Livable Vancouver want to happen with the aquatic centre?
TEAM's platform calls for a replacement facility with a 50-metre lap pool. The current approved design includes a 25-metre pool as the main tank. TEAM has made the aquatic centre a central issue in the Park Board race.
When did demolition work begin at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre?
According to Daily Hive Vancouver, the original demolition start date was October 1, 2026. The facility had been closed since June 28, 2026. Planned construction is set for late 2026 or early 2027, with completion expected in 2029.
How does this ruling affect the Park Board election?
The ruling puts the future of the aquatic centre in the hands of whoever wins the Park Board seats on October 17. The injunction expires on November 3, the day after the new board meets, giving the incoming commissioners immediate decisions to make. Voters can learn about Park Board candidates at /candidates.
Where can I vote for Park Board on October 17?
Vancouver's main election day is October 17, 2026. There will be 85 voting locations open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can find your nearest voting location at /where-to-vote. Advance voting has now closed, with 103,810 people having already cast ballots.
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