Technology continues to advance in the commercial and residential pool markets, as there are always new products, technologies, and design methods being introduced. Some of the design options and products that will be discussed are not necessarily new to the industry, but thanks to new technologies and innovations, they continue to make an impression on clients who realize they need to have them in their aquatic facilities.

Further, as many of these items become more refined and more clients buy them, costs have come down over the years, allowing more designers/builders to incorporate them in any new and/or renovation projects.

CLIMBING WALLS

One of the hottest features of late is climbing walls. These apparatus are increasingly being added to existing pools, as well as included on many new pool installations. They are a relatively new option for pools even though people have been climbing on artificial rock walls for years. It was not until recently that designers started placing these climbing walls along the edge of the pool.

These products provide another option for bathers to enjoy the pool, while getting in some exercise as well. There are a few manufacturers offering these products, which are available in several colours, as well as clear panel configurations, and in heights of up to 3.6 m (12 ft). The required minimum water depth is typically 2.4 m for a 3.6-m (12-ft) wall. Shorter walls are available for shallower pools. Climbing walls should always be installed according to manufacturer recommendations.

TANNING LEDGES

Tanning ledges are also becoming quite popular, as they expand the use of the pool. Typically, these areas have 305 mm (12 in.) of water or less, which makes them perfect for setting up a lounge chair or a place where bathers can simply lay in the shallow water to soak up the sun.

They are also great for young children and the family dog. They are commonly found on today’s prefabricated fibreglass pool options, and can be easily incorporated into concrete pool designs. In fact, most concrete pools can be easily renovated to include a tanning ledge and many clients are now doing this.

LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE (LED) LIGHTING

LED lighting technology has become much more affordable and refined in the last five years and, in fact, is now the standard. The colour and operational options available are quite expansive, including the ability to control the lights using a smartphone app.

There are also removable battery-powered options available that are good for smaller pool applications. LED lights last longer than incandescent bulbs and will save an aquatic facility on hydro costs.

FIRE BOWLS 

Fire bowls are now more affordable than in the past and are being included in new construction designs more than ever. Fire features are available in a wide range of configurations and work well to enhance the pool’s surrounding environment. They make for an exhilarating bathing experience, especially when swimming at night.

MOVABLE FLOORS

Movable floor systems are not necessarily new, but are still gaining traction in new residential and commercial construction projects. These floors allow program offerings at aquatic facilities to be much more flexible as the pool depth can be adjusted accordingly.

For instance, programs for new parents and their tots are now possible, as the floor can be raised to any depth instead of the standard 1-m (3-ft) shallow end. Then, it can be moved back down to a 0.6-m (2-ft) depth for youngsters aged four to six who are learning to swim, but still want to be able to touch the floor and stand.

For residential applications, the same benefits apply, including the ability to fully raise the floor to eliminate the chance of anyone falling into the pool while the homeowner is away or when the pool is not being used. The pool floor can be raised to create more useable space as well.

BEACH ENTRY

Beach-entry pools are now the standard in commercial construction. This design comprises a sloped entry that allows accessibility for everyone, a necessity on public pools for several reasons. Having an accessibility lift is also an option; however, a beach entry allows someone in a wheelchair, the elderly, or small children to enter the pool effortlessly.

Similar to movable floors, beach-entry pools offer more options for young children learning to swim or those who just want to cool off on a hot summer day.

SPLASH PADS

Splash pads are all the rage, with new toys and accessories becoming available all the time. Municipalities and campgrounds—not to mention kids—love them as they provide a great option for people to cool off without the need for a lifeguard. As there is no standing water, the risk of drowning is essentially eliminated. However, parental supervision is still a must. With drain away and recirculation options available, splash pads can almost be installed anywhere.

A drain-away design typically makes use of low-flow water features at a location where low- to medium-usage is expected. Water simply drains into the municipal sewage system, or into an underground holding tank where it is used for grey water purposes, typically lawn watering, with an overflow to sanitary built into the system.

A recirculating system also uses an underground holding tank where water is pumped through the filtration and sanitizing system to the water features. The water then drains back into the holding tank to be circulated again all-season long.

AUTOMATIC POOL COVERS

Automatic pool covers are also gaining ground in the commercial and residential market. Similar to other products of late, these too can be controlled by the owner and/or facility manager via smartphone. This controllability is not only convenient, but also offers many safety and time-saving benefits.

There are some restrictions with respect to shapes, however. If the pool is a freeform design, it needs to be sunken down to allow the cover track to be installed above the top of the pool wall. Essentially, a freeform pool still has to have a rectangular cover, if it is automatic.

After surviving two cold months of winter, we’ve started counting the days until we can ditch our heavy winter jackets, boots, scarves, gloves, hats and everything else that comes along with winter. Now that we have made it to March, spring is right around the corner - only 15 days to be exact! To help you get through the last stretch of winter, here are some awesome outdoor pools in Ontario to look forward to!

WESTMINSTER POOL

The first pool on our list is the Westminster Pool located in London, Ontario. This outdoor facility includes a large, heated leisure pool, along with fun, marine themed spray features perfect for children of all ages! With a zero-depth beach entry, the splash zone and leisure pool are fully accessible. Even better, swimmers will find custom marine graphics on the pool floor, all designed to add to the overall experience of the facility!

THORALD COMMUNITY POOL

This outdoor facility, located in the Niagara Region, features a 25M outdoor pool, splash pad, diving board and spiral water slide! With a zero-depth beach entry and a barrier free, wheelchair accessible ramp this outdoor pool is fully accessible to all. For those looking to sit back and relax, the facility features on deck seating, sun shelters and a sound system. On a hot summer day, Thorold community pool is the place to be!

ROSEDALE OUTDOOR POOL

The Rosedale Outdoor Pool was part of a 1.7-million-dollar facility redevelopment plan in Hamilton, Ontario. If you’ve seen this facility, it won’t come as a surprise to learn that this pool was designed with the help of local elementary students! This outdoor aquatic centre features a heated leisure pool, and various spray features. With a zero-depth beach entrance, an accessibility ramp and the custom, giant spider spray feature, this pool is guaranteed to provide fun and excitement to families for years to come!

BYRON POOL

After a 49-year life cycle, the Byron Community Pool closed its doors to the public for a well-deserved facelift. The existing pool was replaced with a a family friendly 25M swimming pool. 

Bringing a new element of fun and excitement to the community, swimmers can enjoy a climbing wall, a variety of spray features and with zero depth beach entry, the swimming area is fully accessible. Ample shade structures are available for parents looking to sit back and relax. With the addition of pool heaters, there’s no need to worry about the cooler days of the summer, the Byron Pool is the ideal temperature all summer long!

With the New Year approaching, many of us begin to reflect on our accomplishments and achievements (or lack thereof) in the past year. This time of reflection gives us the opportunity to identify the areas that we would like to improve in the coming year. Whether we want to live a healthier lifestyle, read more, or dedicate more time spent with family, setting goals ahead of time gives us adequate time to plan and recognize the steps needed in order to meet your goal.

As 2019 comes to an end, businesses and aquatic facilities are also reflecting on the past year and coming up with ways to improve and grow revenue. There are many ways an aquatic centre can become more profitable; however, the simplest solution is the addition of specialized programs to your existing aquatic schedule. The following are tips on designing the perfect aquatic schedule for your pool users.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Offering specialized programs based on research can increase the overall participation of your swimming pool, and facility as a whole. Before building a schedule, it’s important to know your market and understand what your pool users want. Knowing how many users you have on a daily and weekly basis, what programs your users participate in, and their age groups will help you target your current and potential market. Consider conducting a survey of your current members or testing new programs on frequent facility users to find out what programs generate the most interest.

STAY BALANCED

Offering a variety of programs that are appropriate for all different user groups and demographics will open your facility to a wider market and create more reason to use your pool. In doing so, the facility's overall revenue will be increased. The amenities offered vary from facility to facility. This means that not every facility has access to a swimming pool. Encouraging participation in aquatic programs will not only increase the number of pool users, but may even encourage pool users to participate in other programs offered within the facility.

DESIGNED FOR YOUR POOL

The design of your pool can determine the types of programs you are able to offer. For example, competitive swimming requires a cooler, deeper pool than pools geared towards recreational swimming, fitness/therapy classes and swimming lessons. Whether your swimming pool is indoor or outdoor can also factor into the scheduling process. 

Outdoor Pools

Offer programs targeted towards youth in the day and programs for adults and young children in the early morning or evening.

Indoor Pools

Offer programs targeted towards youth in the evening and programs for adults and young children during the early/late morning and afternoon when older children and teens are in school.

KEEP IT FRESH

Keeping programming fresh is crucial in maintaining the interest of your guests. Specialized programming and events can add variety to your regular programming. A great example of a creative and specialized event is “The Pumpkin Patch in the Pool” at the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center in Bellingham, WA. This tradition of 19 years is a Halloween celebration in which swimmers can pick a floating pumpkin while they swim. The event costs $5 per guest and includes a swim in the pool and a pumpkin to take home. Pumpkins are donated by friends of the facility.

Other events could include:

• Birthday parties
• Pet days
• Water safety days
• Beach parties
• Movies in the pool
• Yoga by the pool
• Holiday themed pool days

Other ways to generate interest through programming:

• Offer incentives for pool users
• Create challenges
• Offer fitness classes and other programs targeted towards a specific age group or ability (i.e. maternity, seniors, rehabilitation, parents and tots)

ENCOURAGE EDUCATION

Attendance can also be increased by providing educated and creative facility managers and aquatic instructors. Offering continuing education to your staff can benefit the facilities programs and keep instructors and aquatic managers up to date in the latest programs, research and techniques which can enhance the quality of the programs offered. 

The off-season provides the perfect opportunity for campground owners and managers to make improvements in time for the busy upcoming summer season. Improvements may include plans to renovate existing camping facilities or the addition of new facilities, equipment, programs or activities. Planning improvements during the winter allows work to be completed during the cooler, quieter months when campers do not frequent the campground often. Planning ahead of time will decrease the inconvenience your campers may experience and improve their overall visit.

It is important for businesses, including campgrounds, to be constantly improving. Whether the change is big, or small, or even visible to campers, upgrades to your facility will only enhance your campers experience at your campground.

On hot summer days, children and their families flock to the swimming pool to cool down and have some fun. One way to enhance your facility is to give your aquatic facility a makeover. Whether through a complete renovation, or the addition of an exciting water feature, your swimming pool can become the heart of your campground whatever your budget may be. Here’s a list of ideas to instantly add an element of excitement to your swimming pool or aquatic facility!

MAKE A SPLASH

One of the most popular ways to cool off on a summer day, Splash Pads are the safest water play option and have universal accessibility. Splash Pads are perfect for children of all ages and eliminate the need for lifeguards. A splash pad is an excellent addition to an existing aquatic facility, but also works perfectly standing alone! Whether your campground has a pool or not, custom and themed spray feature can create and exciting and interactive aquatic environment for your guests all summer long!

MAKE THE CLIMB

Make the climb; add a climbing wall to your campground! The addition of an aquatic climbing wall will enhance the aquatic experience at your campground and increase the number of pool users. As a relatively new concept, this awesome feature will add variety and excitement to any facility, peaking interest of new guests as well as maintaining the interest of recurring visitors.

ENJOY THE SLIDE

From complex entertainment structures to elephant water slides designed to enrich a young swimmer's experience, a water slide is the perfect answer to elevating your facility’s  entertainment value and worth. Custom of popular designed slides can be installed with limited space requirements making an upgrade easily attainable. Fun for the whole family, make your campground the highlight of any visitor's experience.

RESTORE, REMODEL, REJUVENATE

Is your campground's swimming pool starting to show its age both cosmetically and functionally? Does your pool meet code requirements? Whether your pool needs a simple repair, or a complex upgrade, it is important to keep your aquatic facility running properly and in many cases a renovation could mean cost savings in the long run. Why build a brand-new pool, if a renovation can bring your existing pool back to life?

As we head into November, we say goodbye to one holiday and hello to another. The sudden transition from Halloween to Christmas can be overwhelming. Throughout the month of October (or the last week of October for most!) you work tirelessly to perfect this year’s Halloween costume, and in the blink of an eye your costume and decorations are packed away in storage and your local department store has Christmas lights and ornaments on display. Just when you thought you would have a moment of relief; we are already moving into the spirit of another holiday!

The holiday season can be demanding to say the least. From the parties, shopping, entertaining and baking, our schedules seem to fill up during the months of November and December. Along with a busier schedule, the financial worries, the long excruciating lineups, and let’s be honest – the never-ending traffic increases our stress levels which can take its toll on our overall health. To minimize the unavoidable stress that accompanies the holidays it’s important to schedule some you time to relax and take a well needed break. This break is not only beneficial to your health, but it just may be the thing that allows you to fully enjoy the holiday season this year!

From yoga, to running and walking clubs, to fitness centres and swimming pools there is no shortage of activities that offer the benefit of relaxation while also remaining realistic with your schedule.

Spas can be a perfect solution! They offer several health benefits including stress relief, both physical and emotional and require very little of your time. If you are fortunate enough to own your own spa, you have access to it whenever necessary. If not, no worries! Spas are now conveniently located in many fitness centres, hotels and even some residential buildings. For a more economical choice, spas, warm water pools and whirlpools can often be found in many local community centres and sports and recreation facilities. Whether it‘s at your local gym, community centre or in your very own backyard, who wouldn’t love dedicating some time to relaxing in a warm spa with hydrotherapy jet action? Here are some of our favourite spas!

THE BRUCE HOTEL

For many, the Holiday season means some travel. Most hotels now offer indoor aquatic facilities for guest use, and usually they include a spa. The indoor aquatic centre at the stunning Bruce Hotel located in Stratford, Ontario features an indoor aquatic centre with a calming atmosphere for hotel guests to sit back and relax. Staying away from home doesn’t need to be stressful; a visit to the hotel's spa can offer you and your family a place of true relaxation during your stay!

LIFE TIME ATHLETIC

Nowadays fitness centres aren't only built for treadmills, ellipticals and weightlifting. Fitness experts have embraced the health benefits of aquatics including the relaxation benefits found in the use of spas. As a popular fitness centre, Life Time Athletic offers a variety of fitness options including indoor and outdoor spas in most of the aquatic centres found in facilities across North America. Each spa features hydrotherapy jet action, perfect for soothing sore, tense muscles resulting in the highest level of relaxation!

REGENT PARK AQUATIC CENTRE

For those looking for an economical choice, many aquatic facilities found within sports and recreation centres will include a whirlpool, warm water pool, therapy pool or spa. The Regent Park Aquatic Centre, located in Toronto, Ontario, features an indoor lap pool, leisure pool, water slide and an adjoining warm water pool, making it the perfect facility for families. Not only is a visit to this facility less expensive than joining a private fitness club, or a stay in a hotel, but it offers several amenities suited for many different ages. While your children are splashing around in the leisure pool or riding the water slide, why not soak it up in the warm water pool and experience the ultimate relaxation!

Summer may officially be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop swimming! In fact, swimming throughout the year can help you strengthen your swimming skills in preparation for summer water activities! No need to worry about weather conditions interfering with your aquatic programs in the fall or winter, indoor pools are open rain or shine…or snow! Here's a list of some of our favourite awesome indoor pools. 

FALLSVIEW INDOOR WATERPARK

Don’t let the cold weather get you down! Visit the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark in Niagara Falls and keep your family entertained for hours this winter! This 3-acre indoor waterpark is directly connected to the Sheraton on the Falls Hotel and features 16 water slides standing up to 6 stories high, a large wave pool, Jacuzzis, a tiny tots splash area and more! Children will have a blast splashing in the Beach House featuring a Tipping Bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons of water! The Tiny Tots splash park includes water streams, mushroom water pods, tot slides and much more. This water park is perfect for swimmers of all ages!

MIDCO AQUATIC CENTER

The MIDCO Aquatic Center is a 61,000 square foot recreational center featuring competition, recreation, and therapy pools as well as a spray park. The 50M competition pool hosts ten lanes and a competition diving area with four platforms. The therapy pool is 1,500 square foot and wheelchair accessible. The recreation pool is a multi-use pool that accommodates a variety of programming opportunities and includes a lazy river, water slide, recreation area, and splash area with play structure. With zero depth beach entry, and an ADA lift, the MIDCO Aquatic Center was designed and built to be fully accessible.

REGENT PARK AQUATIC CENTRE

This indoor aquatic facility, located in the heart of Regent Park in Toronto, Ontario features a lap pool, leisure pool, warm water pool, Tarzan rope, diving board and water slide! The first in Canada, the Regent Park has adopted the use of a universal change room. This was a choice made to establish equality, create a fully accessible experience for all patrons and enhance safety at the facility. With programs created to accommodate all ages (from preschoolers to seniors), the Regent Park Aquatic Centre is a great place for the community to spend time this winter!

DULLES SOUTH RECREATION & COMMUNITY CENTRE

This aquatic facility, comprised of a 50M lap pool and a leisure pool, offers features for swimmers of all ages. Patrons of the Dulles South Recreation & Community Center have use of diving stands, a lazy river, a 135-foot Aqua Blue water slide with an adjoining plunge pool, a hydrotherapy whirlpool, and a separate spa. Zero depth beach entry leads swimmers into the shallow area of the leisure pool which features an exciting Vortex play structure. Open all year long, this awesome indoor aquatic centre is the place to be this winter!

GUILDFORD RECREATION CENTRE

The impressive Guildford Recreation Centre in Surrey, British Columbia includes an exciting aquatic centre complete with modern features guaranteed to improve the experience of all swimmers! The state-of-the-art facility features an 8-lane, 50M FINA standard competition pool, a leisure pool complete with a lazy river, spray features and a toddler area, a family hot tub, and a water slide! This aquatic centre has the ability to offer a variety of programming. From aquacise classes to lifeguard courses and diving practices, The Guildford Recreation Centre is open to the public year-round!

MITCHELL INDOOR AQUATIC CENTRE

Perfect for both recreation and competitive uses, the Mitchell Indoor Aquatic Center features a competition pool and a leisure pool. To be suitable for competitive swimming events, the competition pool is complete with diving boards, starting blocks, a basketball hoop, accessibility lift and a Colorado Timing System. The leisure pool contains warm-up lanes, two water slides, a vortex therapy pool, a fun zip line, play structures and spray features. The orange water slide plunge zone drops swimmers into the pool at the end of the water slide. Although it's the shorter of the two water slides, the drop adds some suspense before splashing into the water. The blue water slide is the longer of the two and its twists and turns take riders on an exciting ride outside the building. 

MOUNT PEARL SUMMIT CENTRE

The Mount Pearl Summit Centre includes aquatic areas and features suitable for all ages and purposes. The facility features a lap pool, fitness pool, whirlpool, water slide and an indoor splash pad with safety foam flooring. The main pool contains a touch sensor timing system for competitive swimming uses and underwater speakers to enhance the synchronize swimming experience! With all of these high-tech amenities, this indoor aquatic centre is guaranteed to provide entertainment for families throughout the whole year!

DR. ROBERT W. BROWNE AQUATIC CENTRE 

This state-of-the-art aquatic centre located in Coldwater, Michigan includes an 8 lane competition pool and a separate warm water therapy pool with zero depth beach entry. There is no limit to the types of aquatic programming available at this community centre. The diving boards and starting blocks are perfect for those looking to practice their swimming techniques, competitions and lap swimming. The Badu jets, therapy railings, hydrotherapy bench and pool lift were included to offer rehabilitation and senior aquatic programs. Children will have a blast using the inflatable log, climbing wall, basketball nets and volleyball nets during a leisure swim! The Dr. Robert W. Browne Aquatic Centre really does have something to offer swimmers of all ages this winter!

CRESTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COMPLEX

The exciting indoor aquatic facility at the Creston & District Community Complex, located in Creston, British Columbia is a great place to go for a swim this winter! This 5-year-old facility offers many modern and interactive amenities within the aquatic centre including a 5-lane, 25M lap pool with a diving stand, a 2,500 square foot leisure pool complete with a lazy river, bubble bench and a tot play area, and a 165 square foot swirl pool. The exciting spray features will keep children occupied for hours! Whether you are looking to get in a good lap swim, practice your swimming strokes, or just a relaxing leisure swim, this aquatic centre is the place to spend the winter and with a variety of features it’s perfect for the entire family.

RICHARDSON RECREATION & WELLNESS CENTRE

The Richardson Recreation and Wellness Centre in Swan Valley, Manitoba opened to the community in 2014. This awesome indoor aquatic centre combines features for recreation and leisure activities along with the necessary equipment for competition and lap swimming. For families looking to spend a Saturday afternoon at the pool, the facility offers a large leisure pool with a zero-depth beach entrance, a swirl pool, water slide, lazy river, tot pool and various spray features. For the expert swimmers looking to continue to improve their swimming techniques, or for those in search of an alternative form of exercise throughout the winter this aquatic centre offers a 4-lane competition pool with starting blocks!

As the temperatures begin to drop, the realization that the end of the summer season is approaching sets in. While the colder weather looms in the near distance, our to-do lists grow significantly as we scramble to get all of our summer equipment stored away before it gets too cold. Since most residential, commercial outdoor pools and splash pads close after Labour Day weekend in Canada, closing the pool usually tops the list for pool owners and operators.

For residential pools especially, did you know that it is best to keep your pool open until the water temperature is consistently below 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit)? This allows the water to be a consistently lower temperature which creates a better environment for closing chemicals, ensuring they last until spring.

For commercial pools and splash pads it’s a completely different world. Most large commercial pools are required to be fully drained in order to plug up all of the main drains and ensure all of the systems are completely empty.  

Tip! Before winterizing, chemically treat your filtration system. Contact your pool experts to find out how to remove grease and oil from your filters to increase their lifespan and save money for next season!

Use the checklist below as a guideline for closing your outdoor pool.

• Remove deck equipment, hardware, and non-permanent objects such as ladders, rails, tot slides, guard chairs, starting blocks, drinking fountains, accessibility lifts, portable ramps, clocks, weirs, and safety equipment to prevent vandalism. Store in a clearly marked, identifiable, weather- protected location. Cap all exposed deck sockets.
• Remove the diving boards and store them indoors (upside down and flat to prevent warping).
• Follow your manufactures directions for the winterization of any toys and water features in your facility. Some smaller units can be removed, while others, like dumping buckets, remain and have specific procedures to follow for winterizing.

Tip! Isolate your flow cell for your probes before you drain your system.

• Completely drain the pool and remove all white goods and skimmer baskets and store in a marked container. Residential Pools only need to be drained down to 1 ½’ below the returns and discharge the lines.
• Drain all of the pool equipment including pumps, strainers, heater, UV systems, filters, surge tanks and holding tanks.
• Store all probes from chemical controllers in water in a warm environment for the winter months. Do not allow the water to freeze.
• Using an air compressor and correct connections, discharge the main drains, skimmer/gutter lines, returns and jets from the mechanical room to the pool. 
• Plug all of the lines on the pool side with the proper sized fitting or test plugs. Consult your pool specialist for assistance if you need to replace any threaded or test plugs.
• Fill your pumps or strainers with pool grade antifreeze to keep the mechanical seals lubricated for the winter. This will ensure a smooth start up in the spring. 
• Fill the pool for the winter to your recommended depth based on your specific pools requirements. If you're unsure about your facility's requirements, contact your pool consultant or design engineer. 
• Install pool covers if required in your area.
• Turn off the water supply and restroom showers, sinks, and toilets.
• Drain all of the pipes to ensure all of the lines are free of water. Remove shower heads and drinking fountain handles.
• Open hose bibs and fill spouts.
• Have your phone service provider disconnect the pool telephone and discontinue service for the winter season.
• Confirm the security of the facility to present unauthorized access.

Ensuring you have winterized properly can be a worrisome, but with the right preparation beforehand and ensuring you have the proper tools, you will be ready. Before you know it, Spring will be upon us and it will be time to open again!

In today's world swimming pools are all around us. Who doesn’t have a pool in their backyard or have a close neighbour with one? Friends and family gather around them, making wonderful memories every day. Fitness clubs have pools, community centres have pools, hotels have pools, and now high rises in the sky even have them. Building a residential or commercial pool on the ground level is a relatively easy task, but what are the challenges of building an elevated pool high in the sky?

CONSIDERATIONS

When building in a high-rise structure, several considerations need to be taken into account during design. Keep in mind a 4-foot-deep lap pool that is 75 feet long holds approximately 75,000 gallons of water. Water weighs 8.34 pounds per US gallon, equating to 625,500 pounds of water - and that’s just the weight of the water! Add in the weight of the concrete pool shell, reinforcing steel, interior finishes and mechanical items and it doesn’t take long for a small lap pool to weigh in excess of 900,000 pounds. That’s a lot of additional weight on a building structure or roof top. Structural engineers and architects have their work cut out for them to design and engineer a building structure that’s safe enough to hold all of this additional weight.

One other consideration when designing a swimming pool in an elevated structure is waterproofing and sealing of the structure. Nobody wants 75,000 gallons of water leaking out into a building and running down into the main lobby. Today’s swimming pools have cantilevered edges that hang out over the edge of buildings, windows in the walls, and in some cases glass bottoms. Providing a positive seal in extreme building conditions such as this can be a challenge. Engineers spend countless hours running calculations to provide 100% watertight designs.

Aside from the structural and waterproofing challenges outlined above during design, now there is the challenge of building it. Countless men and women climb story after story of stairs or ride construction elevators 10, 20, even 50 stories up to start construction of these wonderful and challenging pools high in the sky. Hundreds of cubic meters of concrete need to be pumped up or craned up sometimes hundreds of feet to be poured in place. Thousands of pounds of structural reinforcing steel and mechanical equipment need to be hoisted in place by tower cranes and snaked through the building structure to be constructed in place. Every move in this elevated construction environment needs to have several hours or even days of planning. On the ground it's easy, back up the cement truck and start pouring. When you're 50 stories in the air, it’s a little more challenging. 

So the next time you visit a luxury hotel or you're at a resort on your next vacation check out the roof top swimming pool. Challenge yourself to swim out over the cantilevered edge and imagine the challenges of constructing that beautiful masterpiece.

Fun Fact: Some elevated swimming pools in high rise buildings are used to protect the building structure in event of a fire. Some of these pools have a connection so the fire department can quickly pump water out of the pool in the event of a building fire.

Your swimming pool can be a wonderland of fun and adventure. With the new and classic choices available, you have the ability to change the atmosphere from day to day simply by using different water toys. As a child growing up with a pool, nothing was more exciting than going to the pool store and looking at the new trendy toys. The options available today would blow my younger self’s mind.

POOL SPORTS

Pool sports and games are great fun for family and friends. A volleyball net allows for a large group to come together and play. With the ability to rotate in and out of the game, everybody of all age groups gets a chance to play. If you are looking for a more competitive game, poolside basketball and water polo nets are great options. There are even multi-use systems that combine games like volleyball and basketball. A cost-effective way to add more variety to your sport options.

INFLATABLE POOL TOYS

Today's inflatable toys have come a long way from what the options available when I was a kid. If you wish to relax and have some time for yourself, there is a limitless selection of mattresses, tubes, boats, themed floats, and lounges. Many inflatables have added games into the design, like Pongo Bongo or have built in water guns to turn your inflatable into an afternoon of competitive fun. Larger inflatable lounges and couches that can accommodate up to six people are also available - complete with built in coolers and cup holders. What a fantastic way to spend a lazy Sunday with friends! Options for little ones have expanded as well. The classic water wings are always available, along with a variety of floating seats with sun umbrellas, larger inflatable islands, play structures, wheels, slides and more - the choices are endless!

DIVE TOYS

Pool toys can keep young ones (and even the young at heart) busy for days on end. Dive toys are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing young swimmers to use their imagination to create new challenges. Also available, the “Aqua-Zooka” can shoot up to 50 feet and turn a regular water fight into a no holds barred battle.  It’s amazing that no matter how old you get, soaking somebody with a water gun is still a blast!

AQUATIC EXERCISE

Aquatic Exercise has become popular as a low impact fitness approach. The ability to swim with a deck mount tether or deck mount flow generator gives you the benefits of long-distance swimming without the need for an Olympic sized pool. If aquatic exercise is what you enjoy, there's even treadmills and stationary bikes designed for use in pools. This is a terrific way to get the exercise without the hard impact on your joints and back. Foam weights are another amazing way to exercise by allowing buoyancy to create the desired resistance without the heavy impact of regular weights.

When it comes to choosing the best water toy for you and your family, the sky is the limit. The best part? You can choose more than one!

Now that we're halfway through the first week of June, we can (finally) say goodbye to cold, wet weather! With temperatures on the rise, more of us are starting to leave our homes and look for ways to soak up the sun. One of the best and most popular ways to spend the summer is poolside. Swimming is the perfect way to cool off for many reasons. It's convenient and inexpensive and with most communities offering more than one public pool at a low cost per use, families of all income levels and in all areas of the community can gather at a local pool for some fun in the sun. Most swimming pools today, offer interactive fun in the form of spray features, water slides, diving boards and even climbing walls! These fun features are great additions that keep kids and adults alike busy, having a blast and refreshed all at the same time! Here is a list of 10 awesome outdoor pools to visit this summer.

FAIR GROUNDS AQUATIC PARK (STRATHROY, ONTARIO)

The Fair Grounds Aquatic Park in Strathroy, Ontario is the perfect place to spend a hot summer day with the family! This outdoor facility boasts exciting features for swimmers of all ages. The 6-lane lap pool is perfect for those looking to get some exercise or practice their swimming technique. The leisure pool, featuring a variety of spray features, is perfect for young children to splash around with their parents. For those looking to take it easy, the lazy river and hydrotherapy bench provide the perfect opportunity to sit back, relax, and cool off, all at the same time! Finally, the exciting 22 ft water slide will have you returning in no time!

HORACE MANN PARK (RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA)

The brand new Horace Mann Park in Rapid City, South Dakota, opened to the public in 2015, following a complete re-build. This exciting waterpark features an outdoor lap pool, complete with diving boards, a recreation pool, water slides, and a Vortex play structure that will have kids splashing the day away! Gather your family and head to the Horace Mann Park for some fun in the sun!

NELSON POOL (BURLINGTON, ONTARIO)

Following a complete renovation, the brand new Nelson Pool opened to the public in 2017. The newly renovated pool is complete with an eight-lane, 50M pool with an adjoining beach-entry leisure pool and an adjacent splash pad. The climbing wall and diving boards are extra perks, enhancing the overall experience at the pool. Ground sprays projecting water upwards and outwards, a giant tipping bucket and small animal spray features are only a few of the exciting spray features you can find at the new splash pad.

SCHULENBURG POOL (WAUSAU, WISCONSIN)

Throughout the summer season the Schulenburg Pool is a popular gathering spot for the local Wausau community. With designated lap and leisure areas, two water slides and a vibrant play structure, there's something fun for the whole family.  All areas of the swimming pool are fully accessible, allowing swimmers of all ages and physical abilities the opportunity to enjoy this community amenity. Shade structures are located around the perimeter of the swimming pool, perfect for parents or swimmers looking to lounge in the shade. 

TOMLINSON AQUA PARK (KINGSTON, ONTARIO)

Located in Kingston, Ontario, the Tomlinson Aqua Park boasts a 25M lap pool complete with diving boards along with a leisure pool featuring fun spray features! When you visit this water park you will also find an exciting, 10M water slide, a lazy river, toddler pool, and zero-depth beach entry. There is no better way to beat the heat this summer than a day spent at the Tomlinson Aqua Park!

TIOGA MUNICIPAL POOL (TIOGA, NORTH DAKOTA)

Families of Tioga, North Dakota love spending their summers at the Tioga Municipal Pool! Renovated in 2015, this family-friendly swimming pool features a frog slide, water umbrella and tumble buckets - perfect for young swimmers! The water slide, diving board and lap/leisure pool are a great space for older children and adults to refresh in the summer heat.

LAKESHORE SWIMMING POOL ASSOCIATION (KINGSTON, ONTARIO)

The Lakeshore Swimming Pool in Kingston, Ontario officially opened to the public in the summer of 2015! After mechanical room and pool tank renovations, the facility was completely transformed. When visiting this facility, you will find a refreshing lap/leisure pool complete with diving boards and a small water slide! The brand-new concrete deck is the perfect place to soak up the sun. Spend this summer poolside at the Lakeshore Swimming Pool Association!

ROOSEVELT PARK (RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA)

The outdoor aquatic facility at Roosevelt Park in Rapid City, South Dakota, includes a 10-lane, 50M outdoor pool with a movable bulkhead. When the bulkhead is in the middle park position, the pool transforms into a 20-lane pool, making this facility perfect for those looking to touch up on their swimming technique, practice for competitions, or even just get in a good lap swim! The facility also includes water polo courses for both men and women, and starting platforms, making this the place to be for aquatic competitions of all kinds!

CARDSTON OUTDOOR POOL (CARDSTON, ALBERTA)

The Cardston Outdoor Pool in Cardston, Alberta is the ideal cool-off spot for children, adults and families! This swimming pool features a 25M lap pool, wading pool, toddler pool, spray features, diving board and zero depth beach entry, making this facility fully accessible to the entire community. The park also includes a lazy river, bubble bench and an exciting water slide – tons of fun for children of all ages!

CANYON AQUA PARK/THE CAP (CANYON, TEXAS)

Beat the heat at The CAP in Canyon, Texas! Enjoy concessions, shade, and over 10,000 square feet of water fun! The CAP is home to a 6-lane lap pool with two diving boards and a basketball goal. In addition to the lap pool, swimmers can splash around on a giant play structure and or the exciting splash pad, relax in the lazy river or enjoy a ride on the speed slides!