Poolside perfection

When summer finally arrives and the sweltering sun starts beating down, many of us start thinking about putting in a pool, of taking that dreamy dip to cool down. But according to Rob Danieli of Alka Pool Construction in Burnaby, B.C., the middle of summer is the worst time to start looking into pool construction. You "should plan a pool well before the pool season begins," he advises, "and do so carefully and properly without being rushed."

Building considerations
Building a pool takes more than just digging a hole in the ground. In fact, you need a minimum of two months just to build and another month to get a permit from the city. Every municipality has different rules. In one area of Vancouver, says Rob, a pool can go right up to a property line, but in another you need five feet.

Your contractor, pool builder or landscape architect will evaluate the property's size, its access for machinery and its landscaping, among other things.

Types of pools
With concrete pools starting at about $30,000, you want to make sure everyone enjoys it. Rob is keen to discuss a family's needs from the get-go. “We're doing a lot of play pools now, with two shallow ends and a deep end in the middle for installing a volleyball net,” he says. “With young families, there seem to be real practical issues; then there's the flipside where people want the backyard to look like a resort.”

What kind of pool is right for you? Here are a few of the latest incarnations, according to The Pool Idea Book (The Taunton Press, 2004) by Lee Anne White:

Architectural: Custom-built to reflect the home's design elements
Naturalistic: Designed to blend seamlessly with the outdoor surroundings
Lap: Long, narrow lane created for aerobic purposes
Recreational: Designed for swimming, floating, water volleyball, et cetera.
Spa: Built for relaxation, with massage jets, flexible seating and temperature control