For some reason, the Vancouver pools are a little stodgy. They don't have ropes
and slides and fun kid stuff. However, don't despair. If you're willing to hop on
the SkyTrain and take a short ride or drive a short distance, you can find all kinds
of very cool kid pools.
On the North Shore, in North Vancouver, you'll find the Karen Magnussen recCentre.
It has a wave pool that's very fun and not so big that it intimidates small children.
The pool is located at 2300 Kirkstone Rd in North Vancouver.
To get there, cross the Lions Gate Bridge and go east (right) at the end of the
bridge. Turn north (left) at the first light on Capilano Road and go up Capilano
Road to the Highway 1 East turn off. Go east (right) on Highway 1 and exit at the
Lynn Valley exit.
At the intersection, go north (right) on Lynn Valley Rd. Watch for signs to Karen
Magnussen on the right hand side of the road. Turn right at Kirkstone Rd, and you're
there.
There's a good slide at the Harry Jerome recCentre pool at 123 East 23rd
Street in North Vancouver. Follow the same directions as if you were going to Karen
Magnussen; however, exit at Lonsdale, one exit west of Lynn Valley, and go south
(right) for one block and then east (left) at 23rd. The pool is on the corner of
23rd and Lonsdale. Park in the lot across the street from the pool.
Call 604-987-7529 (play) for hours.
The Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool in Burnaby is a kid's paradise with several
pools, a great slide, fountains, sprinklers and pool toys. To get there, go east
on Hastings all the way through Vancouver and into Burnaby, the city east of Vancouver.
At Willingdon turn north (left) and go a block and a half. The pool building will
be on your right. Call 604-298-7946 for hours.
The Canada Games Pool in New Westminster is an Olympic-sized pool with diving
towers, diving boards, rope and trolley swings, and a flotilla of water toys.
There's also a small pool for small children, a sauna, swirlpool, poolside basketball
and ping-pong. You can also work out in the mezzanine fitness centre or swim laps.
To get to the Canada Games Pool, take the SkyTrain to the Columbia Station and transfer
to Bus #102. You can get more information about the Canada Games Pool by calling
604-526-4281.