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Outdoor Pools: 2022 Season Feedback

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Consultation has concluded

Project Update, April 2023: Opening day for Moody Park Pool is set for April 22! Click here for all the latest information about schedules, operations, program registration, etc. for New Westminster's outdoor pools.


Project Update February 2, 2023: Thank you to all who participated and shared their feedback on the 2022 Outdoor Pools Season. The What We Heard Engagement Summary report for this engagement is now available.

We heard mixed feedback and a range of preferences through this engagement. Many participants shared their support for the current pre-registration swim model, while others voiced their concerns around accessibility and equity related to the removal of drop-in access to the outdoor pools.

Online survey response to the question "What is your preferred option for leisure swimming at Moody Park Pool?"As such, the City will be introducing a hybrid approach for the upcoming 2023 outdoor pool season. This will include a pre-registration system for those who want a guaranteed swimming spot, while also retaining 20% of swim spaces for drop-in visitors.

Additionally, based on the feedback we heard, swim times will also be extended to 90 minutes to allow for additional leisure and lane enjoyment, while still ensuring the facility is available for many people throughout each day.

More detailed analysis of the engagement findings, and plans for the 2023 outdoor pools season, that reflect what we heard from the community, can be found in the Engagement Summary Report. 

More information on the 2023 outdoor pools season will be available in the coming weeks online and through the Spring Active Living Guide.


What is happening?

The City's Recreation Services team is starting to plan for the 2023 outdoor pool season, and we need your input! Last year we asked you about extending the season at Moody Park Outdoor Pool and Hume Park Outdoor Pool, as well as your preferences on programs and services at the City's outdoor pools. Now, we're building on that engagement and asking some new questions to help us plan for the upcoming pool season.

Based on last year's feedback and attendance at the pools this season, we are planning an extended season again for 2023.

This engagement is mostly focused on the pre-booking system we used for the pools in 2022, where swimmers needed to reserve a spot online in advance. We have heard mixed feedback about this system, and would like to hear more broadly from the community on whether to keep the reservation system or go back to a drop-in model.

The survey also asks a few more specific questions about lane swimming, aquafit, and swimming lessons. Survey results will be reviewed and used to guide decision-making for the 2023 pool operations.

How can I engage? 

Click here to take our online survey, which will be open until 9:00 am on December 19, 2022. The survey includes sections on different topics and pools, and you can choose to answer or skip each of the sections depending on your swimming habits and preferences.

Prefer to connect with Recreation staff in person and provide your feedback verbally? We will be conducting in-person surveys on the following days, times, and locations. Please note that the in-person survey is a shorter version of the online questions (no new/different questions).

  • Saturday, December 3, 9:00 am-1:00 pm - Centennial Community Centre
  • Wednesday, December 7, 1:45-5:45 pm - Centennial Community Centre
  • Thursday, December 8, 10:30 am-2:30 pm - Century House

Project Update, April 2023: Opening day for Moody Park Pool is set for April 22! Click here for all the latest information about schedules, operations, program registration, etc. for New Westminster's outdoor pools.


Project Update February 2, 2023: Thank you to all who participated and shared their feedback on the 2022 Outdoor Pools Season. The What We Heard Engagement Summary report for this engagement is now available.

We heard mixed feedback and a range of preferences through this engagement. Many participants shared their support for the current pre-registration swim model, while others voiced their concerns around accessibility and equity related to the removal of drop-in access to the outdoor pools.

Online survey response to the question "What is your preferred option for leisure swimming at Moody Park Pool?"As such, the City will be introducing a hybrid approach for the upcoming 2023 outdoor pool season. This will include a pre-registration system for those who want a guaranteed swimming spot, while also retaining 20% of swim spaces for drop-in visitors.

Additionally, based on the feedback we heard, swim times will also be extended to 90 minutes to allow for additional leisure and lane enjoyment, while still ensuring the facility is available for many people throughout each day.

More detailed analysis of the engagement findings, and plans for the 2023 outdoor pools season, that reflect what we heard from the community, can be found in the Engagement Summary Report. 

More information on the 2023 outdoor pools season will be available in the coming weeks online and through the Spring Active Living Guide.


What is happening?

The City's Recreation Services team is starting to plan for the 2023 outdoor pool season, and we need your input! Last year we asked you about extending the season at Moody Park Outdoor Pool and Hume Park Outdoor Pool, as well as your preferences on programs and services at the City's outdoor pools. Now, we're building on that engagement and asking some new questions to help us plan for the upcoming pool season.

Based on last year's feedback and attendance at the pools this season, we are planning an extended season again for 2023.

This engagement is mostly focused on the pre-booking system we used for the pools in 2022, where swimmers needed to reserve a spot online in advance. We have heard mixed feedback about this system, and would like to hear more broadly from the community on whether to keep the reservation system or go back to a drop-in model.

The survey also asks a few more specific questions about lane swimming, aquafit, and swimming lessons. Survey results will be reviewed and used to guide decision-making for the 2023 pool operations.

How can I engage? 

Click here to take our online survey, which will be open until 9:00 am on December 19, 2022. The survey includes sections on different topics and pools, and you can choose to answer or skip each of the sections depending on your swimming habits and preferences.

Prefer to connect with Recreation staff in person and provide your feedback verbally? We will be conducting in-person surveys on the following days, times, and locations. Please note that the in-person survey is a shorter version of the online questions (no new/different questions).

  • Saturday, December 3, 9:00 am-1:00 pm - Centennial Community Centre
  • Wednesday, December 7, 1:45-5:45 pm - Centennial Community Centre
  • Thursday, December 8, 10:30 am-2:30 pm - Century House
Consultation has concluded

Check out our FAQ before submitting your question - we may have already addressed your question!

Have a question about the outdoor pools engagement? Please add it here. We will aim to reply within 5 business days. If we think your question may be of interest to others, we'll post your question and our response here. Thank you for taking the time to write to us!

  • Share Slides at moody pool for the kids?? on Facebook Share Slides at moody pool for the kids?? on Twitter Share Slides at moody pool for the kids?? on Linkedin Email Slides at moody pool for the kids?? link

    Slides at moody pool for the kids??

    HLO asked almost 2 years ago

    The slide at Moody Park Pool has not been in use since 2019 (prior to COVID). We are currently assessing its condition to ensure it is safe for public use. We are uncertain at this time if it will be re-installed for the 2023 pool season.  

  • Share Can more information be provided to parents about what to expect with outdoor swimming lessons, so they can be better prepared and make informed decisions? Especially if they have no prior experience with outdoor lessons. (E.g. What temperature is the pool heated to? Do lessons still happen in heavy rain? Are spring sessions appropriate for very young children or those sensitive to cold?) on Facebook Share Can more information be provided to parents about what to expect with outdoor swimming lessons, so they can be better prepared and make informed decisions? Especially if they have no prior experience with outdoor lessons. (E.g. What temperature is the pool heated to? Do lessons still happen in heavy rain? Are spring sessions appropriate for very young children or those sensitive to cold?) on Twitter Share Can more information be provided to parents about what to expect with outdoor swimming lessons, so they can be better prepared and make informed decisions? Especially if they have no prior experience with outdoor lessons. (E.g. What temperature is the pool heated to? Do lessons still happen in heavy rain? Are spring sessions appropriate for very young children or those sensitive to cold?) on Linkedin Email Can more information be provided to parents about what to expect with outdoor swimming lessons, so they can be better prepared and make informed decisions? Especially if they have no prior experience with outdoor lessons. (E.g. What temperature is the pool heated to? Do lessons still happen in heavy rain? Are spring sessions appropriate for very young children or those sensitive to cold?) link

    Can more information be provided to parents about what to expect with outdoor swimming lessons, so they can be better prepared and make informed decisions? Especially if they have no prior experience with outdoor lessons. (E.g. What temperature is the pool heated to? Do lessons still happen in heavy rain? Are spring sessions appropriate for very young children or those sensitive to cold?)

    Ann asked almost 2 years ago

    Hello and thanks for your questions. Please check out our FAQ on the Moody Park Pool page on the City's website. Each year we update this with relevant questions like pool temperature (the pool is set to 27-28 degrees Celsius), what happens when it rains (all swims run rain or shine), rules for registration for the new pool season, etc. We will look to further add additional frequently asked questions based on feedback from this engagement and inquiries. 

  • Share What is the city doing to ensure they can start providing lessons to children under 3 years old during the Fall, Winter and Spring sessions? Many New West children born right before covid or during covid have had very limited access to swim lessons as the city has not provided programming for them alongside other age groups. on Facebook Share What is the city doing to ensure they can start providing lessons to children under 3 years old during the Fall, Winter and Spring sessions? Many New West children born right before covid or during covid have had very limited access to swim lessons as the city has not provided programming for them alongside other age groups. on Twitter Share What is the city doing to ensure they can start providing lessons to children under 3 years old during the Fall, Winter and Spring sessions? Many New West children born right before covid or during covid have had very limited access to swim lessons as the city has not provided programming for them alongside other age groups. on Linkedin Email What is the city doing to ensure they can start providing lessons to children under 3 years old during the Fall, Winter and Spring sessions? Many New West children born right before covid or during covid have had very limited access to swim lessons as the city has not provided programming for them alongside other age groups. link

    What is the city doing to ensure they can start providing lessons to children under 3 years old during the Fall, Winter and Spring sessions? Many New West children born right before covid or during covid have had very limited access to swim lessons as the city has not provided programming for them alongside other age groups.

    BCDA asked almost 2 years ago

    Hi there and thank you for taking the time to submit a question. Children under the age of 3 have a much harder time regulating their body temperature and communicating how they are feeling. Swim lessons for this age group are usually offered in warmer water than a standard outdoor pool, hence why we are currently offering these classes in the warmer weather months. 

    Water exposure and having fun in the water are key to making children under the age of 3 ready for structured lessons. While lessons may not be available in the colder weather months, these elements can be accomplished in a leisure swim setting with their parents or guardians.  

  • Share Has the city considered working with other municipalities to enable new west children priority booking for swim lessons at other pools during the winter months? What creative thinking has been done to enable the continuation of important services, like swim lessons for children, that have been cancelled and will be cancelled for several more seasons, due to the unexpected shut down of Canada Games Pool? on Facebook Share Has the city considered working with other municipalities to enable new west children priority booking for swim lessons at other pools during the winter months? What creative thinking has been done to enable the continuation of important services, like swim lessons for children, that have been cancelled and will be cancelled for several more seasons, due to the unexpected shut down of Canada Games Pool? on Twitter Share Has the city considered working with other municipalities to enable new west children priority booking for swim lessons at other pools during the winter months? What creative thinking has been done to enable the continuation of important services, like swim lessons for children, that have been cancelled and will be cancelled for several more seasons, due to the unexpected shut down of Canada Games Pool? on Linkedin Email Has the city considered working with other municipalities to enable new west children priority booking for swim lessons at other pools during the winter months? What creative thinking has been done to enable the continuation of important services, like swim lessons for children, that have been cancelled and will be cancelled for several more seasons, due to the unexpected shut down of Canada Games Pool? link

    Has the city considered working with other municipalities to enable new west children priority booking for swim lessons at other pools during the winter months? What creative thinking has been done to enable the continuation of important services, like swim lessons for children, that have been cancelled and will be cancelled for several more seasons, due to the unexpected shut down of Canada Games Pool?

    BCDA asked almost 2 years ago

    Hello and thanks for your questions. After the closing of Canada Games Pool, the City connected with neighbouring municipalities in regards to sharing priority booking for swimming lessons for New Westminster residents. Unfortunately, municipalities around the Lower Mainland are all facing challenges with staffing shortages that are affecting the aquatic industry. Due to these staffing shortages, many municipalities are struggling to offer enough swimming lessons to meet the needs of their own communities.  

    In addition, some neighbouring communities have older facilities being decommissioned for rebuild, causing their own pool space shortages. The City has also done some work looking into private swimming pool rental options but found it was not feasible due to inequitable costing, health requirements, insurance, and liability to run aquatic programs in these spaces. The City will be focusing on staffing for the 2023 outdoor pool season to ensure we can offer more swimming lesson options for the Spring-Fall seasons, compared to the 2022 outdoor season.