New Brighton and Second Beach pools will open Saturday. Lifeguards will begin staffing nine beaches.
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Two of Vancouver’s five outdoor pools opened Saturday as summer swimming season begins with slightly cool and damp weather.
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The Vancouver park board says New Brighton and Second Beach pools will open while lifeguards will staff nine swimming beaches.
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Registration for the first swim times at the outdoor pools Saturday opened via Showpass on Wednesday. Staff say 25 per cent of spaces will be allocated for drop-in sessions but admission is not always guaranteed depending on demand.
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Maple Grove and Hillcrest Outdoor pool will open on Monday, June 15. Kitsilano pool is also expected to open mid-June but there’s no firm date because of ongoing repairs.
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Sunrise
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The outdoor pool season is scheduled to end Sept. 7 at Second Beach, Maple Grove, and Hillcrest outdoor pools. The season at Kitsilano and New Brighton outdoor pools will end Sept. 13.
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Meantime, from Saturday to Sept. 7, lifeguards will supervise designated swimming areas at Spanish Banks West, Spanish Banks East, Jericho, Locarno, Kitsilano, Sunset, English Bay, Second and Third beaches.
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Also beginning this weekend, residents and visitors are premitted to drink alcohol at seven beaches, including Jericho, Spanish Banks, Locarno, Second Beach, Kits Beach, John Hendry and New Brighton beaches.
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Alcohol is still not allowed at English Bay, Sunset, Third and Crab Park beaches as well as any beaches along the Fraser River.
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Earlier this year, the park board approved a program that allows drinking on select beaches during the summer, following two years of successful pilot projects. The program is “dependent on beachgoers being responsible and considerate of others,” according to the city.
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Saturday might be chilly to swim. A few showers were expected with a high of 15 C but the rest of the long weekend looks warmer with Sunday and Monday’s forecast calling for a mix of sun and cloud with highs of 17 C.
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With files from Stephanie Ip
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