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Friday, May 11, 2007

Swimming Pool - Update

After deciding some weeks (well, really months ;-) ago that we wanted to have a pool behind our house we now (today) finally received the council approval. The story so far:

Somewhere at the end of last year we decided to have a pool. We were 'in the market' for a so called lap pool (long pool) so we will be able to do laps. After visiting a few swimming pool companies we found that there was really only one polyester pool available (and only available at one company) with as good as the right size. For polyester pools you are basically buying from pre-defined sizes. The salesguy from this company visited us at home twice to have a look at the situation, and told that he thought it should be possible to place the pool. Now since he did not sound completely convinced, we went to another office (of the same company really, but South of the River). The sales guy studies the plans very carefully and then told us he would not take the order, since he though it would give a lot of problems. As you will understand we were very happy that we checked with another office...

So we had to go for option 2, a concrete pool. Unfortunately concrete is a bit more expensive, but there are far better options since the pool is basically being built on the spot. After some more visits to pool companies we finally decided (and signed the order) in February. At that moment the company told us that (on the condition that the council would approve) the digging should start half April. Of course as usual with such projects, the timing changes a bit when you go. As said above we recieved the council approval today. The pool company told us that they expect to start digging somewhere in the beginning op June.
We have asked them if there was a way to start earlier, since we think that building activities on the direct right side of our house could start any day. We are not sure, but since that is the only side from which the bobcat (small bulldozer) can come in to dig, we'ld rather not take a change here. If it is going to be done earlier we do not know of course, but we'll keep you all updated of course.
Interesting to see in the approval is that at the moment that the pool is built but BEFORE water goes in, the council officer has to be informed, so they can come and inspect. The will be checking the genral coonditions and (very important) that the fences are present and the pool is fully closed off from the house ;-)

Some preliminary work (removing the pavers where the pool will be dug out and moving a retaining wall a bit) has been done. We'll upload some photos soon......