Comments on: Crystal Pool (1929-1974)

By: Jon Vreeland

Jon Vreeland — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:22:04 +0000

Does anyone remember Mr. Hooper. I took lessons from him at 5 years old.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 02:21:24 +0000

In reply to James. The Canadian Dolphins Swim Club trained at Crystal Pool in the mid 1950s until the early 1970s. Elaine Tanner was a Dolphin, and so was World Champion (1973) Bruce Robertson.

By: Matt Fieldwalker

Matt Fieldwalker — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 03:48:47 +0000

My dad loves his memories of Crystal pool. Learning to be a competitive swimmer in the 40s.
Thanks, he loved the pictures

By: Mark Sandison

Mark Sandison — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 09:56:38 +0000

Such an interesting story, Eve.

By: Maemuna S

Maemuna S — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 21:29:20 +0000

Just heard this story of Viviane Jung on CBC NXNW today and delighted in the celebration of a brave and determined woman through poetry and a mural by many teachers and students of her former school.
I grew up in the lower mainland and remember swimming in Chrystal pool as a child. I was shocked to hear about the swim time restricting Black and Asian Canadians and feel glad that some things have changed
for the better.
Bravo Viviane!

By: Dannie

Dannie — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 03:08:25 +0000

Really interesting! I swam there but had no idea of the racist policies! Yikes!

By: Sheila

Sheila — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 06:45:59 +0000

In 1960 I almost drowned in Crystal pool. My brother and I took swimming lessons there every Saturday am. In different classes. My parents drove us there in our 57 chev. They would watch from the balcony above. We would often stay after class for a bit to practice what we had just learned. One day after class and being very physically exhausted I slipped on the wet deck and fell into the deep end of the pool. I wasn’t at the level of deep water swimming skill yet. I was gulping water and going under for food when I looked up and saw my Dad frantically yelling at a girl (who was older and a better swimmer than me) and pointing to me for her to help me. She quickly got to me and dragged me to the side of the pool saving my life. Another memory from these Saturday classes was after swimming we got a huge treat!! My brother and I were able to pick out what we wanted from a vending machine in the lobby. To this day I still love coconut macaroon chocolate bars. When the aquatic center opened I was exatatic. So big and new. I swam there 4 days a week many miles and took diving lessons in the dive tank. I became a lifeguard learning in that pool. We had to dive down to the bottom of the dive tank and practice rescuing “bodies” and bring them up from the bottom. Old heavy rubber tires were the bodies. The instructors could watch you down in the tank from windows downstairs. I loved the hot tub and sauna. It’s where I met my husband who was a coach in the gym. Good times and memories.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 15:55:30 +0000

My Mom, born in 1929, and her best friend, of English and Chinese heritage, often talked about the time they went to the pool on the “wrong” night and had to go back when they both could swim. They said at the time they thought nothing of it and were just angry at themselves for getting the nights mixed up. When older though, they said “can you imagine?!”

By: Helgi (Kalkun) Leesment

Helgi (Kalkun) Leesment — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 22:56:26 +0000

I attended the West End’s Lord Roberts Elementary School and King George High School (when it was located on Burrard at Nelson), and fondly remember class trips for official swimming lessons at Crystal Pool. Having come from Europe, I could not believe that leaving the school building for part of the school day was actually permitted and planned for the whole class! Also went to the pool with friends occasionally on Saturdays although I preferred swimming in English Bay along the length of the beach, weather permitting. Hope the current pool building is soon repaired or replaced. With all the high rise buildings now occupying what used to be play spaces, a public pool is a much needed amenity in the West End.

By: James

James — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 21:40:33 +0000

Shudder, My reaction. As a member of both the Dolphins and Vancouver Amateur ( VASC who Elaine Tanner raced for) it was dark, noisy, not ventilated well making ones eyes sting , choppy water as too shallow, unless you led your lane breathing was risky and only 6 lanes wide not 8 so after the Olympics went metric in 1970 its fate was sealed. We only swam there after when Percy Norman was closed.
As for the “new” one shortly after opening parts of the roof insulation started falling into the water as the wrong glue had been used not formulated for both salt and chorine!
With its no windows on the ocean setting its tragic. Tear the damn thing down.

By: Claude

Claude — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 21:29:39 +0000

Very interesting story, as always. Thank you!

By: Carol Gordon

Carol Gordon — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 20:14:27 +0000

You find the most remarkable bits of Vancouver’s past; most especially the ones about Race are heart wrenching and to this day bring tears to my eyes and a knot in my throat just thinking about the ways so many in officialdom enacted rules preventing us from sharing in the wonders of that great city. There were gatekeepers at the Unemployment Office that said things like, “you know you already have 3 strikes against you…”

By: Brad Williams

Brad Williams — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 18:20:40 +0000

Such a fascinating story Eve! I dont know how it lasted that long, considering many fancier buildings did not have such a long lifespan. There is something special about swimming in a salt water pool. I applaud all those who fought for equal rights in this city, then and now.

By: Lisa Smith

Lisa Smith — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 18:05:14 +0000

Really interesting history! I wonder if it would be feasible to keep the existing pool/amenities, and just replace that ugly roof?

By: Zoe Napier-Hemy

Zoe Napier-Hemy — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 17:54:48 +0000

I so appreciated this article, a valuable piece of Vancouver’s history, in so many ways, which were previously unknown to me.