RELIEF FROM SUMMER IN THE CITY!

(click on images to enlarge)

**Second Beach pool in 1940.** *(City of Vancouver ARchives)*

Back in the day — and we’re talking the 1920s, long before the pool was built — Second Beach was a popular camping and swimming destination, with a sprinkling of summer cottages and trails for horse riding.

By the 1930s camping had been banned for obvious sanitation reasons, and that year a large "draw and fill" saltwater swimming pool was built. It operated on the principle of fresh seawater being drawn into the pool and then drained and refreshed after a week's use.

Can you spot the west end journal’s editor & publisher kevin dale mckeown in this 1956 shot at second beach pool? He’s the one who looks like He’s practicing his australian crawl strokes while only knee-deep in the pool. *(James McKeown Photo)*

In the 1950s the Vancouver Sun offered “Sun Free Swim Classes” at several locations, including Second Beach. Here’s a photo of The West End Journal’s editor and publisher Kevin Dale McKeown taking his first tentative steps into the pool. Couldn’t resist sharing!

The draw and fill pool, in use until its replacement with the present heated pool in 1995, was a significant investment for the city and park board.

Second Beach Pool is a heated, outdoor pool conveniently located near the beaches, trails, and forests of Stanley Park. The pool has a sloped entry, gradual depths for families, and separated lanes for lap swimmers.

Second Beach Pool stats:

Length: 80 m
50 m section for swimming lengths
Wheelchair accessible
Aquatic wheelchairs
Ramp access
Water wheelchair (one attendant needed to operate)
Leisure Access Program (LAP) is accepted

Children seven years and under must be with a responsible guardian (16+ years old) while in the water. The guardian must wear a bathing suit and be within arms' reach of the children. One guardian can supervise up to three children.

**A more recent photo of fun at second beach pool.**

For children four years and under, an accompanying adult reservation is required. Monitoring the number of reservations for each period allows pools to maintain proper staffing ratios between swimmers and lifeguards, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for all.

The pool hours at Second Beach are:

8 to 10 a.m.
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
2 to 5 p.m.
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Second Beach Pool has been a major part of summer fun for generations of Vancouverites, and thousands of children over the years learned their swimming skills and safety through the Vancouver Sun Free Swim Classes program. Grab your swim suits, towels, and blankets and head to Stanley Park to enjoy this wonderful community tradition.

For admission prices and other information visit the Second Beach Pool website here.