Safety First
Even with all safety precautions, water can still carry unknown contaminants. Bacterial testing adds an extra layer of protection for swimmers.
Commercial Pool Rentals
Planning a commercial pool rental? Don’t dive in blindly. Prioritize success by asking important questions before committing to a rental agreement. From pricing to safety, get the insights you need for a smooth and lucrative rental experience.
Risk Management Documentation
“I just don’t have the time; it’s just me,” is the response from many pool operators when I ask about policies, standard operating procedures and other forms of essential workplace documentation at their aquatic facility.
Soft Opens
A few years ago, a friend who doesn’t work in the swimming pool industry called me about an ear infection she developed after using a backyard pool on Canada Day. “It was the first day the pool was open, ever,” she said. “They just finished construction. I don’t understand how this could happen.” Those of…
Getting at Ease with Legalese
Residential pools and commercial pools are completely different beasts. Residential service techs might visit 20 to 30 pools in a single day and only see a particular pool on their route once, maybe twice per week. For commercial pool techs, many jurisdictions require chemical and safety checks every day, if not multiple times per day. Both jobs require a strong attention to detail; techs must pick up on changes to pool operations very quickly during each short visit.
Cleaning Versus Disinfecting
As a certified pool operator (CPO) instructor and consultant, I’ve spoken to countless pool operators over the years who lack an understanding of cleaning and disinfecting swimming pools. These knowledge gaps may be putting your facilities and customers at risk.
Here to Spray
Many are opting for spray parks over swimming pools
End-Capping the Pool Experience
Picture yourself stopping at the grocery on the way home from work. You need bread and milk. You walk into the store and head over to the bakery section. On the shelf, in the place of the usual bread you buy, is a new brand with bright, colorful packaging. Something about the design appeals to…
Great Expectations, Poor Communication
In my consulting work, I encounter pool operators who bemoan how little management understands about the work that goes into running a commercial swimming pool. At the same time — often in the same facility! — I encounter managers who bemoan how little pool operators understand what’s at stake in terms of customer reviews and…
Bidding Municipal Projects
Many suppliers become frustrated when their commercial swimming pool bids are unsuccessful because they lack an understanding of the nuances and complexity to the decision-making process. The process is intentionally antiseptic and impersonal (nepotism and favoritism are crimes in the public sector), but transparent and fair if you learn the factors at play. Let’s say…
Not One More
You know Virginia Graeme Baker, but do you know Abigail Taylor? Abbey was a 6-year-old girl eviscerated by a drain in the wading pool at the Minneapolis Golf Club on June 29, 2007. Despite nine months of hospital care, 16 surgeries and multiple organ transplants, Abbey died from her injuries. Do you know Zachary Cohn?…
Shattered Profits
I was a lifeguard in college. During one annual August shutdown, I was restringing lane ropes while contractors in a lift serviced the event lighting above the 50-meter competition pool. It was hot, they were in a rush to make up time — one technician was new and inexperienced — and they did not stop…