There will once again be free swimming at the Hammond Outdoor Pool this summer.
There was free admission for Maple Ridge residents through the 2025 pool season, to enhance public health and ensure access to recreation facilities for all residents. It will be back this year.
“Parents shared their appreciation for the opportunity to enjoy a free activity with kids in their neighbourhood,” noted a staff report by Jamie Ayson-Banico, Maple Ridge Leisure Centre manager. “The city received positive feedback on this initiative and significant increase in participation, with numbers nearly doubling from [the] previous year.”
She told council the initiative traded a modest financial impact for a significant increase in community access, participation, and public benefit.
Coun. Korleen Carreras said the report by staff convinced her no-fee swimming was needed, and that cost had been a barrier for some participants.
“It really showed the need for this, and how the community really embraced it, and we increased participation of kids and families accessing our outdoor pool,” she said.
“The more kids we can get understanding and being safe around water is better for all of us in the long run.”
Attendance rose from 5,913 visits in 2024 to 8,322 last year, for a 41 per cent increase.
Admission revenue dropped from $13,270 in 2024 to $5,791 last year, as non-residents were charged. The need for more lifeguard staff cost an additional $8,000, as pool hours were extended.
Registered pool programs, rentals, and special events are subject to regular fees.
The recreation staff also introduced a dog swim on the final day of opening, after the last public swim, and had 36 dogs attend “Pups in the Pool.”
“Staff received a lot of positive feedback about the event,” said Ayson-Banico.
The pool will be open weekends only from June 6 to 27, and then daily from June 28 to Sept. 11.