A man-made swimming hole in Aldergrove is about to dry up this fall despite pleas from Langley and Abbotsford to find a way to keep it open.

The Aldergrove Lake "swimming facility," which was built 40 years ago and attracts about 25,000 people each summer, is set to close permanently because there isn't enough water coming from the nearby aquifer to fill it during peak times and what is getting in is leaking out.

Park operations officials estimate it would cost $4 million to repair or replace the pool, which consists of a concrete basin, rudimentary water screening and chlorine disinfection system, and surrounding beach. The pool basin is riddled with cracks and doesn't meet today's environmental standards.

But Langley Township Coun. Mel Kositsky warned that before closing the pool, some alternatives must be sought or the move would ignite protests among area residents, who don't have any other beaches nearby.

"I don't know what the right course of action is, but I do know there will be a hue and cry," he told fellow members of Metro's park committee Thursday.

Both he and Abbotsford Mayor George Peary persuaded the committee to wait until July before making a decision on the pool so their councils can look at possible alternatives.

"It's a long way from Aldergrove or southwest Abbotsford to Kits Beach," Peary said. "It truly is a family beach. The message around [the closure] better be good and powerful because folks are not going to be pleased they're losing this little gem."

Wendy DaDalt, Metro's east area manager, warned it's unlikely an alternative can be found. Even if a new facility is built, it wouldn't be in that location.

"Our risks are really high here in terms of some health concerns." she said. "We're not recommending the lake stay open after this year. It's really on its last leg."

DaDalt said she wanted to give the public ample notice about the pool's closure so they would have a chance to make a last trip out this summer.

It would also allow Metro, along with the other municipalities, to prepare for possible impacts the closure will have on other facilities in the region. For instance, the closure could lead more people to White Rock beach.

Vancouver Coun. Tim Stevenson argued there was no point in waiting until July since the closure was inevitable. "How do you get around it?" he said. "This isn't a never-ending supply."

The issue will return to the park committee on July 13.

ksinoski@vancouversun.com