Peeking from the dirt of an upcoming downtown development is part of Mission's past.
Next door to Mission Library on 2nd Avenue, the remnants of the area's first public swimming pool are visible inside a fenced property slated for condos.
Mission's community pool opened in 1952 and was a staple into the '80s before the indoor pool was built.
A past Fraser Valley Record article reveals the pool opened with an extravagant ceremony in 1952 attended by "scores" from the community.
"The picture was one of kaleidoscopic colour, with brilliant blue reflected in the sparkling water from the cloudless summer sky, multi-colour flags which Harry Schneider, commissioner, had arranged to be hung in profusion, bright bathing suits and caps of the attending Royal Life Saving team from Vancouver and gay hues in the apparel of the watching throng," the reporter at the time wrote.
The opening included entertainment from Mission’s community band, rhythmical swimming, and comedy from costumed "dandys".
The pool was located on Second Avenue and Horne Street, partly on the site of the current Mission Library and the property now owned by Montgomery Condos.
It featured the obvious attraction of a swimming pool, in addition to a bath house and wading pools.
Ken Shore, the chairman of village commissioners at the time, addressed the crowd at the opening and said Mission had fallen behind on recreation despite advances in the commercial, industrial and agricultural space.
“You might even compare us with a man who built a house for his family but in his haste forgot to include a living room, which is the gathering place of his family,” Shore said. “Today, ladies and gentlemen, we at last have the living room of our district.”
The Mission Rotary Club initiated the project and an “all-out drive” for funds was planned in 1946. However, the Fraser River flood halted the plans before construction began.
The project resumed construction in 1949 before it opened in 1952 and was partly funded by money from parking metres.
The outdoor pool remained in use until 1982. The Mission District Council voted unanimously to discontinue the use of the pool at a meeting held in February 1983 and staff were asked to propose alternative uses for the site.
Later that year, council approved plans to pave the site of the old swimming pool to create 66 parking spaces downtown with no reduction to the existing green space around the site.
Now, the site adjacent to the swimming pool will feature a six-storey building with 85 condo units. While the development won’t feature a swimming pool, it will include a gym, lounge and rooftop patio.
“I can tell you it is in a fantastic location and selling really well. We started sales at the end of May earlier this year and since then we've almost sold out half of the building,” a spokesperson for Montgomery Condos said
Construction is slated to begin later in August.
“We want to start in the summer months while the weather's still good and then we estimate completion will be in the fall of 2026,” the spokesperson said.
