Consisting of 16 state chapters, the Sarasota-based organization Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) provides government relations representation on behalf of its members, including the Florida Building Commission, the Construction Industry Licensing Board, as well as other legislative bodies that regulate the swimming pool industry in Florida, i.e. the Department of Health. Every year, the FSPA hosts an annual awards competition, giving its members an opportunity to enter their latest, and most spectacular work. The Design Awards committee—made up of decorated professionals in the pool industry—judged, and selected, the projects based on workmanship, soundness of design, beauty, practicality and safety.
The 2019 Design winners were recently announced, with nine companies across Florida taking home awards of pool building excellence this year at Everything Under the Sun Expo in Orlando. Seventeen awards were handed out during the event, based on the judges’ panel review. “The FSPA Design Awards recognizes some of the best pools being built in Florida by FSPA members,” says Executive Director Wendy Parker Barsell. “The craftsmanship, excellence and quality seen in these pools, spas and water features are a true testament to the builders.”
Categories customized for Florida pool construction divide the entries by size, type of construction and features. While ‘Best in Show’ was awarded to Almar Jackson Pools of Jupiter, FL, a number of local builders included Coast to Coast Pools of Sarasota, Superior Pools of Southwest Florida in Port Charlotte, AquaTech Pools GC of Nokomis and Tampa Bay Pools in Brandon. AquaTech represented the Gulf Coast, earning a Silver in the ‘Vanishing Edge’ infinity pool category. Superior Pools earned a Bronze in the ‘Pool/Spa Combination 701+ sq. ft.’ category, while both AquaTech and Coast to Coast captured awards in the ‘Residential Pool 701+ sq. ft.’ category. Award-winning pools are being submitted to national industry magazines for publication.
Throughout the year, FSPA remains a beneficial online resource for recreational and commercial pools alike. Providing industry expertise and access to maintenance education and information on current trends and issues, pool owners can use its to help with the following:
-Weather and hurricane preparations/precautions (storm drainage, sufficient water levels, removing debris, reactivation, etc.)
-Chemical care to prevent colonies of algae spores with appropriate chlorine concentration and pH scales
-Finding a licensed contractor/builder, and hiring a pool professional
-Basic sun safety
-Energy-efficiency and new energy requirements for pool pumps
-“Winterizing” pools in Florida
-Helpful FAQ’s (how to keep pools running, pool finishes and lights, vacuuming and skimming the pool, dealing with evaporations or leaks, etc.)
Link to full story: https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-daily/2019-05-21/10732_FSPA-Announces-Its-2019-Annual-Design-Award-Winners
