---
title: "Vancouver Park Board candidates set out plans for aging pools and community centres"
description: "Seven seats are on the ballot October 17. Parties differ on how much to spend and how fast to build, with a $438-million borrowing question also on the ballot."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/news/park-board-infrastructure-pools-october-7"
last_updated: "2026-10-10T04:01:10.990Z"
---

Vancouver's Park Board election on October 17 centres on years of deferred spending. The Tyee reported on October 8, 2026 that 72% of the city's 27 community centres are rated at the two lowest grades on the city's condition scale, and the average facility is 46 years old.

Former park board chair Aaron Jasper told The Tyee: "the chronic, historic challenges when it comes to the park board being able to deliver on its mandate has been a lack of funding."

The ballot includes more than just the seven commissioner seats. Voters will also face two borrowing questions: one asking whether the city can take on $438 million in debt for community-serving facilities, and another for $60 million for parks infrastructure. A third question asks whether the city should create bylaws banning open-air hard drug use in public spaces.

## The pool question

The Vancouver Aquatic Centre was permanently closed in summer 2025 after a ceiling section fell. City council approved $103 million in 2022 for a replacement. Every major party running for Park Board has promised a 50-metre pool as part of that replacement.

ABC Vancouver, whose incumbents include [Jas Virdi](/candidates/jas-virdi), commits $400 million over four years for five community centre redevelopments: Kensington, Kerrisdale, Hastings, Roundhouse, and Dunbar. The party also promises new pools at Sunset and Marpole centres, free swimming lessons for children ages 3 to 12, doubled dog parks, and free parking at community centres and select beaches.

TEAM for a Livable Vancouver commits $738 million and promises a 50-metre pool and a Sunset pool, and says it would end the practice of deferring maintenance on existing facilities.

The Vancouver Liberals commit $1.35 billion for renewed and new community centres, pools, and rinks across the city.

## Green Party and COPE

[Tom Digby](/candidates/tom-digby) of the Green Party of Vancouver, a current commissioner, is seeking re-election. The Green Party says the 50-metre pool should go at Hastings or Kensington community centre, following the priorities in the city's 2022 Community Centre Strategy. The party also promises subsidized swimming lessons and renewal of multiple existing pools.

COPE's platform commits to following the 2022 Community Centre Strategy and to providing enough funding for all pools, including hiring enough lifeguards.

## Encampments and parks access

Parties differ on how to handle encampments in parks. The Vancouver Liberals say they would require housing or service offers before any removal. COPE commits to following the National Protocol for Homeless Encampments before removals. ABC's platform focuses on what it calls needle-free parks and enforcement.

## Voting on October 17

Voters choosing Park Board commissioners on October 17 are also deciding two borrowing questions that could fund the first wave of community centre renewals. You can read about every Park Board candidate and find your voting place at [/where-to-vote](/where-to-vote).

## Sitemap

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