Court upholds city plan to replace Vancouver Aquatic Centre pool with 25-metre design
A B.C. Supreme Court judge dismissed the legal challenge to Vancouver's plan to demolish and rebuild the aquatic centre with a smaller pool, and two of the society's directors are running for Park Board.
A B.C. Supreme Court judge dismissed the legal challenge to the City of Vancouver's plan to replace the Vancouver Aquatic Centre's 50-metre lap pool with a 25-metre pool, Daily Hive Vancouver reported on September 26, 2026. Two of the three directors of the society that brought the challenge are running for Park Board in the October 17 election.
Justice Christopher Giaschi ruled it was reasonable for the Park Board and the City to conclude that building a new facility with a 25-metre pool came within the borrowing that 68.4 percent of voters approved in the 2022 civic election plebiscite. "Nothing in the evidence supports the assertion that the City or the Park Board deliberately misled voters," the judge wrote.
What the society argued
The Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society challenged the city's use of $103 million in voter-approved borrowing for a replacement project that would not include a 50-metre pool. The society argued the plebiscite materials had described plans to renew the facility in a way that implied the longer pool would be kept.
The judge found the approval process fair. The court also ruled the city was not required to release confidential financial records for the public hearing to proceed lawfully.
The candidates' connection
Jon Girard and Mayeli Alvarez, both Park Board candidates under TEAM for a Livable Vancouver, are directors of the society. Daily Hive Vancouver reported they are two of the three directors of the group. Both candidates' involvement in the legal challenge is part of the public court record.
The society announced after the ruling that it plans to appeal. In a statement reported by Daily Hive Vancouver, the group described the demolition timing as "vindictive, and profoundly anti-democratic."
What happens next
The city has scheduled demolition to begin October 1, 2026, twelve days before the election. It approved a $3.5 million demolition contract with Heatherbrae Builders in July 2025. The facility has been closed since late June 2026 after concrete fell from the ceiling in November 2025 and a partial exterior wall had collapsed in March 2022.
The total project budget stands at $175 million, up from an initial estimate of $140 million after City Council approved an additional $35 million in June 2025.
Voters who want to learn more about Jon Girard and Mayeli Alvarez can read their profiles at voche.me, and can find voting location information at /where-to-vote.
Questions this profile answers
What did the court decide about the Vancouver Aquatic Centre?
Justice Christopher Giaschi of the Supreme Court of British Columbia dismissed the legal challenge brought by the Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society. The judge ruled it was reasonable for the Park Board and the City to conclude that building a new facility with a 25-metre pool came within the borrowing approved by voters in 2022. The court found no evidence the city deliberately misled voters about the pool size when it put the question to a plebiscite.
What did voters approve in the 2022 plebiscite?
In the 2022 civic election, 68.4 percent of voters approved $162 million in borrowing for community facilities. Of that amount, $103 million was allocated to the aquatic centre replacement project. The plebiscite materials described plans to renew the facility, but the society argued the language implied a 50-metre pool would be kept. The judge disagreed, finding the language was broad enough to cover a 25-metre design.
What is the society planning to do after losing the case?
According to Daily Hive Vancouver, the Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society announced plans to appeal the ruling. The group described the demolition timing as 'vindictive, and profoundly anti-democratic,' noting that the city has scheduled demolition to begin October 1, 2026, while the election campaign is still running. The society has raised over $110,000 through crowdfunding since it launched.
Which 2026 Park Board candidates are connected to the society?
Jon Girard and Mayeli Alvarez, both running for Park Board under TEAM for a Livable Vancouver, are directors of the Protecting Our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society. Daily Hive Vancouver reported they are two of the three directors of the society. Their involvement in the legal challenge is part of the public record of the case, as confirmed by the voche.me candidate profiles for both.
When does demolition of the aquatic centre begin?
The City of Vancouver has scheduled demolition to begin October 1, 2026, twelve days before the municipal election on October 17. The city approved a $3.5 million demolition contract with Heatherbrae Builders in July 2025. The original facility opened in 1974 at Sunset Beach Park and has been closed since late June 2026 following structural problems, including a concrete ceiling fall in November 2025.
How much will the new aquatic centre cost?
The total project budget is $175 million. That figure increased from an initial estimate of $140 million after City Council approved an additional $35 million in June 2025. The city also expects $37 million in development contributions. The voter-approved borrowing covers $103 million of the total.
What structural problems led to the aquatic centre closing?
Daily Hive Vancouver reported that a partial exterior wall collapse occurred in March 2022, and concrete fell from the ceiling in November 2025. The facility permanently closed in late June 2026 as a result of these structural problems. The building opened in 1974.
How can I find out more about Jon Girard and Mayeli Alvarez?
Both candidates are running for Park Board under TEAM for a Livable Vancouver. You can read their full profiles at /candidates/jon-girard and /candidates/mayeli-alvarez. The Park Board race is one of four races in the October 17, 2026 Vancouver municipal election. You can find information about where and how to vote at /where-to-vote.
Sources
- Daily Hive Vancouver: Court ruling on aquatic centre redevelopment
- voche.me candidate profile: Jon Girard
- voche.me candidate profile: Mayeli Alvarez