REPOST: Swimmin' Hole

In this article, Alison Rice goes into detail about the $4 million project to turn the 22-acre Webber Park in north Minneapolis into the country’s first public “natural” swimming pool. 

Image Source: aquaticsintl.com

After a century of renovations and updates, a Minneapolis park’s swimming hole will return to its freshwater origins and become the nation’s first “natural” public swimming pool.

The $4 million pool project, which is part of a new master plan for the 22-acre Webber Park in north Minneapolis, is currently in the design stage. Construction is expected to begin next year, with a 2014 opening. “We really wanted to create a natural place where people will want to gather,” says Robert Schunicht, vice president of Landform, the Minneapolis planning and engineering firm handling the park’s renovation.

The plans for Webber Park’s new pool are drawing local and national attention. “The community is really excited about this,” says Jon Olson, who represents the neighborhoods near the new pool on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. At 28,000 square feet of swimming area, the pool will offer triple the recreation space of the park’s aging concrete pool and wading pool — without any of the chlorine. The preliminary design includes lap lanes, a diving area, water slide, and a non-swimmers’ area with a maximum depth of 39 inches.

But instead of the traditional pool chemicals, the Webber Park pool will rely on a European approach that uses a biological, plant-based filtration system. As designed, the water in a natural pool flows from the swimming area to a biological filter and from there it percolates through a regeneration pond filled with hydroponic plants, gravel, and other aggregates.

Unlike some chlorine-free pools, “there are no plants in the swimming pool, and there is no soil,” explains James Robyn, CEO and president of BioNova Natural Pools, a New-Jersey-based branch of the German firm BioNova Global, which will be working with Landform on the project.

The filtered water then returns to the swimming pool via standard pumps and pipes. Depending on the climate where a natural pool is built, those plants can vary. For this installation, the designers are talking with Minnesota growers to develop the right mix of non-invasive, native plants for the filtering, says Brady Halverson, Landform’s project designer.

In terms of materials, the pool’s floor will be lined with a commercial PVC membrane, which less flexible and thicker (60 mil vs. 30 mil) than a residential pool’s vinyl liner. “It’s also field-seamable,” Robyn said. “It comes in rolls. We cut it and heat-weld the pieces together. It doesn’t have to be preconfigured.”

Unlike many traditional swimming pools, there will be no main drains at the Webber pool and theoretically a lower risk of entrapment for users. “We will have Virginia Graeme Baker Act considerations for the [proposed] water slide, because the water used to operate the slide will need high-performance pumps,” Robyn said. “But the biological flow is done with smaller pumps.”

In some ways, the Webber Park project sounds more like a lake than a swimming pool, but that was part of its appeal to the community. “We don’t have lakes on the north side of Minneapolis,” said Olson. “People wanted to be able to go to the beach.”

Fittingly for this project, Webber Park’s very first pool, built in 1910, was a spring-fed swimming pond, according to a city parks history. That original pool was converted to chlorinated city water in the 1920s. The existing pool, scheduled to be demolished in 2012, was built in 1979.

The hybrid nature of the new Webber Park pool required some special considerations. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board operates 60 wading pools, two water parks, and 12 beaches on the city’s lakes, but this project didn’t fall into any of those categories. As a result, the board last spring had to get special state legislature approval to build the Webber pool and regulate it not as a pool, but a public bathing beach. The city only monitors E. coli levels at its beaches, closing them as necessary for health reasons.

“From a microbiological standpoint, our water quality standards are based on the European standards for public natural swimming pools, which are roughly twice as strict as what are required at many public bathing beaches,” Robyn said.

Webber’s plant-based filtering system is expected to cost less to operate than a traditional chemical pool, according to those involved in the project, although specific figures weren’t available. (The park board’s budget includes more than $414,000 in 2012 for aquatic recreation services, which includes management, staffing, and lessons for swimmers and sailors at Minneapolis lakes, pools, and water parks.) Due to the expected cost savings, Olson said the city would no longer charge visitors to use the Webber Pool when it reopens.

Transform your backyard into your own family resort with Blue World Pools. Visit this website to learn more about swimming pool design and construction.

REPOST: Victoria | Update: Outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis extends to regional Victoria

As gastroenteritis (cryptosporidiosis) outbreak in Melbourne rises four-fold, hygiene measures at pools and other facilities are strongly encouraged.

This article tells more about cryptosporidiosis including its transmission and symptoms.  


The Department is investigating a four-fold increase in Cryptosporidium notifications since January 2013.

Many cases are reporting exposure to swimming pools in their incubation periods, and other settings representing a risk for onwards transmission are households and childcare facilities.

Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic disease that most commonly causes gastroenteritis. Since January 2013, there has been a substantial increase in Cryptosporidium notifications, While initially focussed on metropolitan Melbourne, an increase in notifications is now affecting regional Victoria.

The organism lasts for long periods in water and the environment and is not destroyed by regular chlorination.

In this outbreak there appears to be a role for transmission related to swimming pools and the key priority is the identification and prevention of further cases through hygiene measures at pools, childcare facilities and in household settings where there are cases. The Department is working with pool managers to ensure effective measures are in place to address the issue.

Whilst all people are susceptible to becoming infected, certain groups are more likely to become seriously ill including younger children, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The most common presentation is gastroenteritis, with symptoms including watery diarrhoea, cramping abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting and fever. Less commonly, Cryptosporidium infection can present as pneumonia, cholecystitis or pancreatitis.

After exposure it can take up to 12 days to develop symptoms, which then last between 4 to 21 days. Individuals are potentially infectious from the onset of symptoms until two weeks after becoming asymptomatic.

Transmission occurs by the faecal-oral route (person to person and animal to person), and via ingestion of contaminated water or foods.

> Blue World Pools is a supplier of above ground swimming pools which puts the health and safety of it customers at the core of its business. Visit this website for more information about managing health and safety in swimming pools.

REPOST: Break Out the Speedos! See 10 Amazing Indoor Pools

Real estate is often made a status symbol. Adding to the value of a home and garden are improvements made to the facilities. Installing a swimming pool is one of the best ways to establish that one's property is of higher value than the rest on the block, as this Forbes article suggests.

When it comes to over-the-top real estate amenities, having your own yoga studio, football field, or heliport can earn you some pretty serious bragging rights among your friends. Mention “indoor swimming pool” and your friends will love you even more.

Perhaps the image that springs to mind is a warm, enticing space where a deep blue body of water can satisfy the need to swim a few laps, or simply serves as a place to relax — without ever leaving your home.

Found in homes for sale from $49 million all the way down to a few million, these magnificent pools in these magnificent homes offer a little of both: Great places for R&R or getting in some cardio.

But please, let’s not think about the water bill.

1. Park City, UT – $49,500,000 (below)
5000 Royal St, Park City UT

Tucked away in Utah’s ski haven of Upper Deer Valley on nearly 60 acres is the ultra-private Huntsman estate belonging to Jon Huntsman, Sr. (father of former Republican presidential nominee Jon Huntsman, Jr). The 20,000-square foot home, which is on the Park City real estate market, was built in 1989 out of reclaimed logs from the forest surrounding Yellowstone Park. It features 12 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a dining room that seats 20, not to mention a gym, library, 2-car garage and massive, lodge-like indoor pool.

2. Greenwich, CT – $13,995,000 (below)
16 Hurlingham Drive, Greenwich CT

With median home values in Greenwich currently $1,134,500, it’s no surprise that this property on the Greenwich real estate market is loaded with over-the-top homes similar to this one, which features a stone-rimmed indoor pool and spa. Set off by an informal gathering room, the spectacular 2-story glass-and-timber garden atrium creates a resort-like setting and captures the picturesque view of Converse Lake from its tiered terraces.

3. Telluride, CO – $19,900,000 (below) 
113 Highlands Way, Telluride CO

Boasting over 23,000 square feet of living space, this extraordinary and extra-large estate on the Telluride real estate market is in a league of its own. Not only does this 7-bedroom, 10.5-bath chalet have its own AMF bowling alley, 2-lane indoor commercial shooting range, golf fairway and putting green with bunker and a 7-person hot tub, but it also features a 75-foot indoor pool.

4. Telluride, CO – $18,500,000 (below)
111 Autumn Ln, Telluride CO

Here’s another Telluride estate, but this one is a contemporary situated on over an acre with prime ski-in/ski-out access. The brand-new lodge includes 6 bedrooms, 10.5 baths as well as a home theater, wine cellar, and ski locker room. The unique indoor pool wing features a hot tub, dry sauna, steam shower and mountain views through the walls that retract.

5. Mercer Island, WA – $15,500,000 (below)
3051 84th Ave SE, Mercer Island WA

This sprawling Northwest estate that is part of the Mercer Island real estate market sits on over 5 acres and is surrounded with organic orchards, rare fruit and nut trees. It took 16 years to finish and, according to the home’s listing description, the pool area alone took five years to build. It features Japanese Shinzuka trusses and a copper exterior roof.

6. New York, NY – $10,995,000 (below)
232 W 15th St, New York NY

One of the most extraordinary town homes in the Chelsea neighborhood, this 5-floor private oasis features a rare and no longer permitted 26-foot long indoor swimming pool with a swing. And if that’s not enough, the home also has a sauna, hot tub, rooftop sun deck and a 16-foot-high solarium sanctuary.
7. Grants Pass, OR – $4,950,000 (below)
429 Sierra Lodge Dr, Grants Pass OR

The 14,586-square foot Grants Pass estate includes a long list of luxury amenities but the indoor “cave” pool has to be the most notable. The attention to detail is hard to miss and puts the additional 100,000-gallon outdoor pool with slide, waterfall and spa to shame.
 

8. Andover, MA – $6,500,000
151 Haggetts Pond Rd, Andover MA (below)

If you’re wondering what $6.5 million gets you in Massachusetts real estate, take a quick peek at this 20,000-square-foot family home. Despite the home’s custom cherry and mahogany built-ins throughout, this pad is as far from traditional as possible, boasting 9 bedrooms, 9.5 bathrooms, a full-size basketball court, bowling alley, theater, arcade, putting green and an indoor pool atrium equipped with a waterslide and a bar.

9. Park City, UT – $6,595,000 (below)
1500 Red Fox Rd, Park City UT

The listing description says it all: “Imagine every detail you would expect from the highest caliber home — those are all here plus more.” Inside the home’s nearly 16,000-square foot interior you’ll find some extremely unique features including a golf simulator, sports bar with 4 TVs, a pizza oven and heated porches. More importantly, the luxury ski chalet also boasts a stunning indoor pool overlooking 10 acres of mountainside vistas.

10. Atlanta, GA – $3,900,000 (below)
7460 Wildercliff Dr NW, Atlanta GA

This contemporary Atlanta home for sale takes the definition of luxury master suite to the next level. Though most master bedrooms may feature a swanky bathroom and walk-in closet, this custom estate has an exercise room and state of the art indoor lap pool as well.

The dream of owning a private pool becomes a reality with Blue World Pools.  Visit this website to read about the available types of pools, prices, and maintenance tips.

Blue World Pools (Photos)

Since 1982, Blue World Pools has been delivering and installing above ground pools to homes across the United States.

Visit  www.blueworldpools.com for more information.

Inground or aboveground: Which swimming pool is better?

Image Source: themaisonette.net


A swimming pool at home is great for large families, especially those with kids. Taking a dip in the pool is a fun way to beat the heat without going to a pricey resort.


The two most common types of home pools are inground and aboveground swimming pools. An inground pool rests its sides with the earth, and an aboveground pool is removable and easier to maintain than the former. An article on FOX News asserts that there are things to consider when choosing which type of pool will be used at home: practicality, cost, and appearance.




Image Source: archiexpo.com


Inground pools can be used for diving, unlike aboveground pools, which are too shallow. However, inground pools require a longer time for installation than aboveground pools because the process involves excavation, framing, and finishing. The installation process and the materials used–concrete, vinyl, and fiberglass–also make inground pools more costly to construct than aboveground pools. In some states, inground pools can also be taxed as part of home improvement.


Aboveground pools are perfect for small yards because they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can also be effortlessly installed with a little help from the installation manual. And because they are removable, they can be dismantled when desired.




Image Source: ebarah.com


When it comes to presentation, inground pools look more presentable than aboveground because they do not protrude on the yard. Inground pools can also add value to the home. However, they require landscaping and renovation. Meanwhile, aboveground pools can still be finished with a variety of liners for a customized look. Blue World Pools suggests that the design should complement the architectural style of the home.


Inground and aboveground pools both have their advantages and setbacks. In order to pick the best one, homeowners must decide based on their personal needs and preferences.

To request a free swimming pool site inspection and consultation, visit this website.

Chlorine check: The dangers of very high levels in swimming pools

 
Image Source: catherinegarceau.com


In 2010, Canadian Olympic athlete Catherine Garceau rang the alarm bells for very high levels of chlorine in Olympic training pools. She enumerated the symptoms that came in the aftermath of her bronze medal run as part of her country’s synchronized swim team in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.


Reportedly, Garceau had acquired complications in her digestive system, chronic bronchitis, and frequent migraines. These she and her doctors attributed to training in pools with very high levels of chlorine.



Image Source: triathlon.competitor.com


While Garceau’s time spent submerged in swimming pools as an athlete is infinitely greater than that of leisure swimmers, her physiological complications still challenge the long-running pool maintenance practice of using chlorine as a bacteria-killing agent. In pool hygiene terms, chlorine is by far the viable option other than the deep blue sea. The question remains whether the chemical is intrinsically harmful or pool maintenance practices are simply overdoing it.


Garceau’s own investigation clears chlorine enough of total culpability. Her research led her to a string of other agents that could interact with chlorine to produce nefarious health issues. Some of these are taken-for-granted substances like sunscreen, sweat, urine, and other dermal agents. In better days, these are the ignored killjoys of a pleasant dip.



Image Source: topnews.in


In-depth studies of chlorine application and diseases associated with it, however, also single out chlorine derivatives that increase health risks. Their effects are further aggravated by their application in indoor swimming pools, where they may be interiorly trapped. These fumes could also be inhaled by pool visitors.


These studies belie the need for disinfected pools. To date, substitutes for chlorine have not been discovered, so the best compromise for leisure swimmers is temperance. As for athletes…perhaps the deep blue sea?


There may be other ways to temper chlorine dependency. Pool builders such as Blue World Pools could also prioritize designs on outdoor pools. The mechanics of installing and maintaining pools are still best left to experts. To scout swimming pool trends, visit this website.

Beyond big and beyond deep: The world's largest swimming pools

Human history is marked by many attempts to create the biggest in anything—yes, even the biggest swimming pool. While records in size are regularly broken as people try to outdo one another, it is worth plotting how far everyone has gone. Below is a list of the deepest, the largest, and the longest swimming pools in the world.

Image Source: top10marvels.com

The San Alfonso del Mar


The San Alfonso del Mar resort, located in Chile, houses the largest outdoor swimming pool, with a total area of 8 hectares. Its length of 1 kilometer makes it the longest, while its maximum depth of 35 meters makes it the deepest of its kind. It was built facing the Pacific Ocean, from which the pool gets the 66 million gallons of seawater it needs. It is so big that people can ride kayaks and other small boats on its waters. It also features a sandy shore that makes it akin to the sea.

Image Source: deeperblue.com

Nemo 33

Located in Brussels, Belgium, this is the deepest indoor swimming pool today. With a maximum depth of 34.5 meters, it holds over 2.8 million liters of water. It has a number of simulated water caves at a depth of 10 meters, and was created to serve as a facility for diving training, recreation, and film production.  


Marina Bay Sands Resort

This resort complex is composed of three buildings connected by a sky terrace that holds the world’s highest elevated swimming pool, located 191 meters above the ground. Its renowned infinity pool also tops the list as the longest elevated swimming pool in the world.

  Image Source: socialphy.com

 














Blue World Pools makes above-ground pools suitable for residential areas. Customers may choose from several kinds of pools at its website.