City of North Vancouver publicizes harbour swimming platform undertaking

The City of North Vancouver is about to construct a floating swimming platform alongside its waterfront that may characteristic a salt water pool, swimming lanes and lounging areas by 2027.

“We are past thrilled to announce this first-of-its-kind undertaking in B.C. that may remodel our oceanfront right into a vibrant vacation spot for lively dwelling, connection, and pleasure,” said Mayor Linda Buchanan as part of a statement from the city.

The $21 million project is a partnership between the city, which is putting up $5 million, and non-profit Swim Drink Fish, which secured a donation of $16 million from the Weston family.

The City of North Vancouver will design, build and own the wooden structure, which can accommodate up to 400 people.

It will be built in the waters of Burrard Inlet in front of Waterfront Park, between King Mills Walk Park and The Shipyards, close to the Mosquito Creek Marina.

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The location is a five-minute walk from TransLink’s SeaBus terminal at Lonsdale Quay.

It will feature protected open-water swimming areas, 50-metre swim lanes, diving platforms, an accessible gangway and shallow pool in the structure.

Free, 400-person capacity

The platform will be free to use and have lifeguards on duty from May to September, with city officials saying it’s possible that swimming lessons may be offered at the site.

The Vancouver Open Water Swimming Association says on its website that the temperature of ocean water in and around the city ranges between 13 to 14 C in early May, and up to 19 C at the height of summer.

Once the swimming platform is up and running, it will cost the city between $500,000 to $600,000 in operating costs a year, which will include ongoing water monitoring.

Mark Mattson, president of Swim Drink Fish, said in the city’s statement that the project is a result of communities working to clean up local waters and a desire to create public spaces connected to water.

“There is a generational alternative to reimagine city waterfront and create locations the place folks can swim, join, and rejoice clear water.”

The site was chosen, in part, because two years of water testing showed the area had E.coli levels well below those required by Vancouver Coastal Health to be safe for swimming.

E.coli bacteria is often why waterways are closed for public swimming, because the pathogen can make people ill or cause infections if they swim in water with high E.coli levels.

This past summer, nine beaches in and around Vancouver were closed due to high levels of E.coli, which included Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver.

A development permit is still required from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority for the project, and the city says the authority is in support of the proposal.

The proposed undertaking within the City of North Vancouver is much like ones in Copenhagen, Paris, Quebec City, Ottawa, Oslo, Norway and Kingston, Ont., in response to Swim Drink Fish.

For the previous 20 years, the group says it has been working with communities to reclaim and recuperate pure areas in city centres and higher join residents with swimming and outside recreation.

As a part of the North Shore undertaking, Swim Drink Fish can also be launching a program the place any native authorities or First Nation in B.C. can apply for one among 5 grants, price between $3 million and $15 million, for related initiatives.

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There are presently no publicly accessible outside swimming pools within the City or District of North Vancouver.

The metropolis has a inhabitants of round 58,000 residents and spans lower than 12 sq. kilometres.