Vancouver mulls wave of ideas for waterfront

Suspend your disbelief for a moment and imagine that False Creek — the short inlet next to downtown Vancouver — was safe enough to swim in. Would you then enjoy hanging five in the water next to Science World?

That’s the latest proposal the Vancouver Park Board has received from entrepreneurs wanting to add to the city’s shoreline.

Given the E.coli levels in the east part of False Creek and the fact there is so much boating activity that dragon boaters and cruise operators can’t get along, a big artificial surfing pool and accompanying artificial beach seems a long shot.

It’s a case of “the private sector trying to create some buzz,” said Sarah Kirby-Yung, chairwoman of the Park Board. “But I welcome ideas and I like to have those ideas put forward.”

The local company pitching its CitySurf idea has in the past marketed a short, speed version of golf that targeted the Crankworx crowd. Others have pitched a swim deck and ocean pool at Coal Harbour, and city pools that are cleaned by plants instead of chlorine.

Probably most appealing to the park board is the idea of installing pop-up pools to add to the five outdoor pools there are currently.

“We are dramatically underserved in pools,” Kirby-Yung said.

Some neighbourhoods that are not served at all, and many existing indoor pools are probably past or nearing their best-by date.

“We live in a social democratic society and I’m a huge fan of debate and consultation,” Kirby-Yung said. “I see the floating deck as an interesting idea, but the waterfront is the best-served area, while south and east Vancouver are underserved.”