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Industry News
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Masters of Design
 Visit our 2009 Masters of Design Showcase, where we celebrate some of the most spectacular works created by industry professionals.
Foundation Sponsor:
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Service Tip
When filling a pool, always test the hardness of the water coming out of the tap. Too many services techs assume the hardness levels of source water in their area never change. However, regional demand and water restrictions often result in the redistribution of source channels, changing the make-up of the water. These potentially drastic changes in hardness can have a significant impact on the water balance in a new or freshly plastered pool.
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MOD Design Tip
 What new initiative are you working on?
I developed a concept where I put a therapy spa with a walk-in beach entry in the middle of a stream, so it becomes part of the look of the overall waterfeature.
How does it work?
The spa is in a pond shape. It’s pretty big — anywhere from 12-by-14-feet to 16-by-20 feet. You walk in a beach entry to get to the center. Then you seem to be sitting in the middle of a pond, but it’s a hot tub.
There’s a bridge on either side of the spa. When you look at it, you assume the stream is flowing under a bridge, [through] the spa, under the other bridge and down the hill. But the spa is actually separated from the stream underneath the bridges. The spa needs a holding tank to maintain the water level, so it looks like it’s spilling over into the stream. This requires an advanced understanding of hydraulics and working with balancing tanks.
This doesn’t require a large backyard. We did one in a tiny space with a short stream. But the effect works better when you have a larger property, so the waterfeature and bridges can meander.
— Steve Oliver, president, Creative Water Concepts Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz.
PSN 2004 Masters of Design Winner - Concrete Pools
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Retail Snapshot
 “The Washington, D.C., area has a history of being recession proof, so we aren’t suffering as much as the rest of the country. However, our business has slipped somewhat — we’re looking at a 5- or 10 percent decrease in sales — so we’re still focused on controlling costs. We want to be leaner so we can position ourselves to take advantage of the economy when it does turn around completely.
“We are also committed to growing our employees’ skills through our in-house training program. When the market rebounds, it will give us an advantage to have the best people on staff. We teach much of APSP’s … curriculum. Though instead of doing an intensive, one-week course, we spread it out over three months in the winter. We tear apart pumps, troubleshoot actual heaters and [do hands-on repair work]. By holding classes three days a week over the three months, we can delve deeper into the subject matter, and it allows our staff to apply what they learn to what they see in the field.”
— Howard Weiss, president, Contemporary Watercrafters, Gaithersburg, Md.
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Trade Show News
Genesis 3 to Hold Design Schools at the 2009 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo
The Genesis 3 Design Group will hold four Design Schools in conjunction with the 2009 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo. The Genesis 3 Design Schools allow attendees to choose from one of four 20-hour courses held over 2 1/2 days. Classes will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, and from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15. The Saturday and Sunday classes include lunch.
The Genesis 3 Design Schools include these 20-hour courses:
• Design Communication - Measured Perspective
• The History of Water in Architecture
• Designing and Creating Natural Looking Ponds and Waterfeatures
• Advanced Fluid Engineering
Receive discounted registration rates — register online now!
 Exhibits: Nov. 16-18
Conference: Nov. 13-18
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada USA
972.536.6350
www.PoolSpaPatio.com | info@PoolSpaPatio.com
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