According to the news release, the Harbour Swimming Deck will feature a family-friendly swimming area, lounging areas, jumping platforms, and swim lanes, offering safe, accessible, and free public access to the water. The deck is designed to accommodate up to 400 people and will include an accessible shallow pool, 50-metre swim lanes, a jumping platform, and a fully accessible ramp connecting the park to the deck.
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Improvements to the surrounding Waterfront Park are also planned, including renewed washrooms, change rooms, outdoor showers, seating areas, and the potential for seasonal additions such as portable saunas and food carts.
The city is gathering community feedback through both in-person and online channels. Three drop-in information sessions are scheduled: Thursday, June 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Waterfront Park (200 Esplanade W); Friday, June 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cates Deck, Shipyards, near the Polygon Gallery; and Saturday, June 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., again at Waterfront Park. An online survey is also available through June 30 at letstalk.cnv.org/HarbourDeck.
According to the news release, the city wants to hear from the public on which features matter most, preferred operating hours and seasons, and what park improvements would enhance the overall experience.
The project was announced on November 3, 2025, by Mayor Linda Buchanan and Council. It is being carried out in partnership with national environmental non-profit Swim Drink Fish, supported by a donation from the Weston family and additional city funding.
According to the news release, construction is anticipated to begin in early to mid-2027, with the facility expected to open later that same year, pending the permit process with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
Very excited about the new pool in the Harbour
I personally do not agree with this and feel funds could be used elsewhere. In North Van, we get more rain throughout the year. We have had warnings in past years to stay away from Ambleside beach waters due to e-coli. It seems to be a liability concern and who is paying costs for life guards and making sure people stay safe. Harry Jerome was recently completed and possibly they didn’t make this pool big enough to accommodate or make it more to attract visitors but feel this outdoor dock is a bad decision. The mayor and council need to rethink their planning and be more realistic to what is important and needed for our North Van residents.
I understand there’s already plans for this outdoor dock for swimming but I feel it’s a bad idea for North Vancouver and funds can be useful elsewhere.
Please use our tax dollars differently. I’d rather have good roads, sidewalks, highways, and more garbage clean up.
The cost is a huge financial burden that tax payers of North Vancouver, will no doubt be saddled with. North Shore residents are already struggling with basic costs of living. We need council that really listens to longterm residents.
The north shore and BC in general has a strong history and community of high divers and cliff divers. Just like many such platforms in Nordic countries, North Van should ensure that the platform is high enough (10m) so that people have somewhere to learn proper entry and form in a safe (overhang) location. Furthermore, tourists would avoid dangerous canyon diving (and the stress it puts on emergency services) if they had a reasonably thrilling option at this platform. The platform should be a minimum of 5m high but should have multiple levels for proper safe progression up to 10m.
Would these funds not be better directed to the water treatment plan? Or better yet start saving for a third crossing!
Legacy projects at the expense of people opposed to it is not on.
An excellent idea, indeed. Wonder if lifeguard service is included. If so, how could it be executed at the diving end into the ocean?
The 50 m length swimming pool is very good for excellent swimmers only. Could there be an innovative way to accommodate weaker swimmers as well? Otherwise, it would become an elite swimming pool only.
This is a ‘working harbour’ with oil tanker traffic increasing from about 100 to 900 per year. Due to the increased supply capacity of the Trans Mountain Oil Pipeline, tankers will obviously be discharging more sludge as they fill up, travel through, and leave Burrard Inlet. Not to mention the ongoing and increasing cruise ship traffic. The fecal count is already high. Look how often Ambleside Beach is closed every summer.
My other question: How much money will the City of North Vancouver be adding to the $16M initial Weston gift, and what about the ongoing CNV costs for lifeguards, and operational / maintenance year after year? How will those costs be covered?
This is not a very wise decision. I would vote against the Harbour Swimming Deck implementation