Stories
We've gathered a few stories and "I remember..." thoughts about Royal Kwantlen Park and the surrounding neighborhood. Read about Midnight Swimming, the treehouse, the parties, good times and a crime or two.
We're always listening for interesting stories and memories. Send us your Kwantlen tale so we can share it with others.
Midnight Swimming
The public outdoor pool in the park has cooled countless thousands of Whalley's kids and parents since it's opening in 1968. For just about as long it has been an attraction for illicit midnight swims by many teens on those hot summer nights.
An interesting late night swim story was related to me by my son's friends. Hanging out one warm and sticky night, they decided to hop the fence and go for a dip. They were having great time splashing and laughing. A little too much fun, apparently. It wasn't long before they saw two firemen from the firehall next door coming up to the pool fence.
Thinking they were caught red handed and they'd be talking to the cops in short order, they began climb out. The two firemen scaled the chainlink fence and started in on the fact that the pool was closed, that the kids shouldn't be there and how there could be an unfortunate accident with no lifeguard to help. There was a lot of nodding heads and mumbled yes's from the dripping swimmers.
After seeing the teens were listening and thinking about the possible problems, something must have clicked. Instead of chasing them off or calling somebody, the firemen announced they were going to fill in for the missing lifeguard! In no time flat everyone plus two firemen in their shorts were swimming, joking and smiling.
I'm sure the heat of the evening, the inviting water, the chance for a bit of fun and some basically good kids all had a lot to do with that unusual but wise thought. I do know that after the swim, firemen gained a lot of repect in those teen's books. They rocked!
Update
In 2008, the city installed a new fence designed to keep un-authorized people out of the pool. It's an impressive bit of steel work. Looks like it could be the end of the tradition of midnight swimming at Kwantlen.
Then again, maybe not ...
randy@kwantlenpark.ca
Updated Feb. 28, 2009 Copyright 2009