Private Vancouver swim club for kids may face hefty pool-fee increases

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Kids who are competitive swimmers and train at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre could be hit with a large fee increase.

The Canadian Dolphin Swim Club, which has 250 members between the ages of 5 and 18, has found out that it will have to foot larger than usual bills to use the aquatic centre.

For the last month, some of the swimmers have been using the pool located at the Jewish Community Centre in Vancouver.

But now, the Vancouver Park Board is rolling out its reopening plan for facilities and because of the ongoing pandemic, restrictions have been put in place on the number of swimmers who can use the facility at one time.

RELATED: Vancouver’s city-run indoor pools, rinks, fitness centres set to reopen

Club president Jeannie Lo says she’s used to paying fees, to rent pool space and to help pay for lifeguard staff. But because her swimmers will no longer share space with the public, they will no longer be able to share the costs.

Plus, fewer swimmers will be allowed in pool lanes at the same time, forcing the club to book more pool time, adding to expenses.

“We used to put five to eight swimmers per single lane. We are now restricted to the equivalent to three per single lane. That of course increases our need to rent more space to accommodate more swimmers,” Lo points out.

Staffing levels are increasing because of COVID, as higher safety protocols and more strict cleaning procedures are put in place. That cost represents an additional burden, she says.

“We are now going from a rate that is roughly 85 cents per swim hour to anywhere from $4 to $5.85. That’s a 600 per cent increase in fees,” she notes.

For now, the club is holding off on warning members about the possible fee increase.

“We don’t want to have to pass on such exorbitant costs to our membership. And we’re very, very nervous that this may mean that there’s no more swimming for the Canadian dolphins.”

Lo says they’ve sent letters out to park board commissioners.

“We haven’t gotten a clear answer. But it appears additional maintenance costs may not be passed on to us. We might only be responsible for additional lifeguard costs, but we’re not sure yet.”

NEWS 1130 has reached out to the park board to ask about the new regulations and to get a response to the club’s request to review the new charges.

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