If you’ve ever stayed at a resort in Mexico or Hawaii, you might have appreciated the lounge chairs and sun umbrellas that hotels offer along the beach.

Yesterday (May 17), the Vancouver park board voted to bring that type of service to English Bay.

Commissioners approved a two-year pilot program with a contract awarded to Blue Hole Investments following a request for expressions of interest that began last March.

The service will operate from a mobile tent.

The price of renting a chair or umbrella at English Bay is still to be determined. The park board will receive a 16-to-18-percent share of gross annual revenue.

“A beach chair and umbrella rental service pilot program provides an ideal opportunity for the Park Board to test this concept and determine its overall market appeal, perceived value, and viability for both the public and the Park Board,” reads the motion approved by the board.

The vote broke along party lines, with four NPA commissioners and two Vision commissioners approving the motion while two Green party commissioners dissented.

The chairs and umbrellas are scheduled to become available at English Bay this summer.