Vancouver’s outdoor pool reservation system keeps crashing

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Going for a dip during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a frustrating exercise for people in Vancouver.

Online reservations are needed to drop in for a swim at Kitsilano, New Brighton, Maple Grove and Second Beach outdoor pools, which reopened last month, along with 10 spray parks.

However, Vancouver’s online booking system for the pools keeps crashing.

Some people are reporting upwards of an hour to book a next-day reservation. Others say they are being met with an error.

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“Your website for Kits Pool keeps crashing between 9:30-10:30. We get these messages,” says one tweet.

“In case anyone is considering doing this, it has been crashing for 45 minutes of ‘bad gateway’ messages or getting through and then it times out before you can buy tickets. There has to be a better system than this,” reads another.

“The site is junk. Are there any good gateways because I’ve had 404, 502, 504 … shouldn’t have to spend an hour to try and book a swim the day before,” says a third.

Registration to book a time for the following day opens at 9 a.m. for Maple Grove, New Brighton, and Second Beach, and 9:30 a.m. for Kits.

Your website for Kits Pool keeps crashing between 9:30-10:30. We get these messages. pic.twitter.com/t8ovPgJlGu

— Elvira Lount (@elviralount) July 29, 2020

The Vancouver Park Board advises arriving “swim ready,” as change rooms are not open.

Also, expect a 30–minute buffer between time-limited swim periods so facilities can be sanitized for the next group.

Drop-ins are also allowed, with contactless electronic payment.

Meanwhile, physical distancing requirements of two metres are mandatory for everyone on beaches. Lifeguards wear personal protection equipment on duty.