Side StreetVancouver

A closer look at Vancouver.

Parks

A crowded outdoor patio beside Kitsilano Beach at dusk, with string lights, barrel planters and the North Shore mountains across the water
Batch, the pop-up patio at the Kitsilano Pool concession, on the evening of 19 September 2026. Photo: Konrad / Side Street Vancouver.
  1. A crowded outdoor patio beside Kitsilano Beach at dusk, with string lights, barrel planters and the North Shore mountains across the water
    Batch at the Kitsilano Pool concession, Saturday, September 19, 2026, about 7:30 p.m. Photo: Konrad / Side Street Vancouver.
    Kitsilano Beach

    Batch is packed. Vancouver’s waterfront needs more places like it

    Reported gross sales at the Kitsilano Pool concession topped $320,000 in eight weeks in 2024. What does a busier waterfront return to the public?Analysis · 6 min read
  2. The Vancouver Aquatic Centre’s sloping roof beside Sunset Beach, with West End towers behind it
    The Aquatic Centre seen from Burrard Bridge on July 6, 2013. Archive photograph. Photo: Another Believer / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 1.0. Image unchanged.
    Sunset Beach

    The Aquatic Centre is heading for demolition. What comes next for swimmers?

    Demolition is expected in early October. Here’s what’s planned for the replacement, and where swimmers go from here.News brief · 2 min read
  3. Lap lanes and diving platforms inside the Vancouver Aquatic Centre, seen from the spectator seating
    The Vancouver Aquatic Centre in 2026, before its closure. Archive photograph of the old facility. Photo: Canmenwalker / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0. Image unchanged.
    Citywide

    Where to swim while the Vancouver Aquatic Centre is rebuilt

    Hillcrest’s 50-metre days, three other pools to try, and where to look for lessons.Practical guide · 3 min read
  4. Lap lanes and diving platforms inside the Vancouver Aquatic Centre, seen from the spectator seating
    The Vancouver Aquatic Centre in 2026, before its closure. Archive photograph of the old facility. Photo: Canmenwalker / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0. Image unchanged.
    Citywide

    What Vancouver’s mayoral campaigns are promising on pools

    A 50-metre pool, free lessons and more pool time: what the mayoral campaigns have put on the table.Election explainer · 4 min read

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My reporting plans for the next few weeks. If you know something about one of these, tell me.

  • Parks · Coverage planned

    How much swimming access survives the Aquatic Centre closure?

    Follow lessons, clubs and public swimming access as replacement plans develop.

    Read the swimming guide