British ColumbiaThe City of North Vancouver is set to build a floating swimming platform along its waterfront that will feature a salt water pool, swimming lanes and lounging areas by 2027.Set to open in 2027, floating platform to provide city’s only outdoor swimming poolChad Pawson · CBC News · Posted: Nov 03, 2025 1:45 PM EST | Last Updated: 42 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesA rendering of what a planned salt water swimming structure will look like at the City of North Vancouver, with construction expected to start next year and the facility set to open in 2027. (City of North Vancouver)The City of North Vancouver is set to build a floating swimming platform along its waterfront that will feature a salt water pool, swimming lanes and lounging areas by 2027.“We are beyond thrilled to announce this first-of-its-kind project in B.C. that will transform our oceanfront into a vibrant destination for active living, connection, and joy,” 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.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 capacityThe 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 opportunity to reimagine urban waterfront and create places where people can swim, connect, and celebrate clean water.”The swimming platform is planned to be located at Waterfront Park in the City of North Vancouver. (City of North Vancouver.)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.A rendering shows how the swimming platform would look along the city’s shoreline. (City of North Vancouver)The proposed project in the City of North Vancouver is similar to ones in Copenhagen, Paris, Quebec City, Ottawa, Oslo, Norway and Kingston, Ont., according to Swim Drink Fish.For the past 20 years, the organization says it has been working with communities to reclaim and recover natural spaces in urban centres and better connect residents with swimming and outdoor recreation.As part of the North Shore project, Swim Drink Fish is also launching a program where any local government or First Nation in B.C. can apply for one of five grants, worth between $3 million and $15 million, for similar projects.There are currently no publicly accessible outdoor pools in the City or District of North Vancouver. The city has a population of around 58,000 residents and spans less than 12 square kilometres.
Oceanfront swimming platform coming to North Vancouver in 2027
