Awards

 

The wonderful thing about winning awards is that a prospective pool buyer can get a good, honest and objective “third party” opinion about a builder’s quality of workmanship. We don’t mind bragging a little that we won three more international awards last Fall from the APSP (the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals), and another award in February 2007.

 

That puts us at seven awards and counting, which should be a pretty good hint that we build good-looking, well-designed, high quality pools. Who knows – Maybe your pool will be next!

 

Latest News

 

Southernwind Pools Wins 2009 "Aqua Choice" Award
By Scott Webb
June 2009

 

A tight spot yields big results for Southernwind Pools of Dallas.

"They wanted to accomplish a lot in a fairly tight space."

That was the mission and the caveat for Southernwind Pools, AQUA Choice 2009 winner in the Concrete Pool or Pool/Spa Combination category. Meeting that goal within the strict confines of the property required ruthless spatial planning. Access to the yard was further restricted by several 70-year-old oak trees that could not be disturbed.

 

With three children under the age of 6, the homeowners wanted the project to be kid friendly. So Southernwind incorporated the following:

 

• a safety gate at the entry to the pool,
• a 6-inch-deep tanning ledge for toddlers,
• an 18-inch-deep walkway to provide shallow access from the tanning ledge all the way to the other side of the pool. This ledge extends 8 feet under the bridge to provide an additional shallow play area,
• two 10-inch spillways from the spa to add another feature for children in the play area,
  * a shaded play area provided by the second bridge between the house and the seating area, and
• antique iron spigots, imported from France, which provide playful water features in both corners at the shallow end of the pool.

 

For the parents, this miniature play land offers:

 

• rotating massaging jets in the sides and foot-well of the spa for 10 or more adults,
• a gas fireplace just steps away to take the chill off cool evenings, also comfortably seating 10 or more adults,
• a seating area on the far side of the pool that allows complete relaxation for parents while maintaining a watchful eye on children's activities in the house and in the pool, and
• benches built around the raised walls that provide additional seating when entertaining large groups.

 

At the homeowners' request, even the family dog was considered in the design. A special tunnel/passageway was built under the part of the house closest to the pool. This allows the dog to readily access the grass yard without opening a gate or entering the pool area.

This project included these special touches, as well:

 

• hand-painted white accent tiles, imported from Mexico, which add an elegant playfulness while providing a striking contrast against the French Grey Diamond Brite quartz interior,
• ornamental gas lamps on the house and pillars that add a sense of old French country charm, and
• steps, benches, a tanning ledge and 18-inch depth play area accented by 1-inch-square blue safety tiles.

The unusual selection of styles, features and materials came together to create a seamless backyard activity center. This project gave the entire family exactly what they were hoping for, and much more.

 

EACH MONTH WE feature one of 11 annual AQUA Choice winners. The 2009 honorees are: Botanical Decorators, Olney, Md. o Catalina Pool & Spa, Maple Ridge, British Columbia o Da Vida Pools, Austin, Texas o Ocean Quest pools by Lew Akins, Belton, Texas o Pools By John Clarkson, Jacksonville, Fla.o Rosebrook Pools, Libertyville, Ill. o Royal Oasis Pools & Spas, Medford, Ore. o Southernwind Pools, Dallas, Texas o Tumber & Associates, Orangeville, Ontario o Wise Pool Company, Conroe, Texas.For more information about AQUA Choice or to enter the competition, visit www.aquamagazine.com.

 

Local Pool Builder Wins Three International Awards
Including a prestigious Gold Award Of Excellence

 

Dallas, Texas, January 9, 2007 - The Association of Pool and Spa Builders (APSP) announced the winners of its 2006 "International Awards of Excellence" in this month's issue of Pool and Spa News. Dallas pool builder Southernwind Pools captured a coveted Gold award for in-ground swimming pools, one of only two pool builders in Texas to do so this year. Southernwind Pools also captured two silver awards, one for a "traditional" pool design and one for an "all natural" design.

 

 

"2006 was a good year for us," stated Southernwind Pools owner John Versfelt. "We've won awards in the past, but never three in one year. I think our ongoing focus on building truly unique, one-of-a-kind pools as paying off." Coincidentally, 2006 is also the year that Southernwind Pools placed twelfth on the DFW "Book Of Lists" for swimming pool builders.

 

Southernwind's gold-winning pool was indeed quite unique, with an assortment of special features including fountains, waterfalls, a zero-edge spa, plus flaming water scuppers pouring water gracefully into raised catch basins which then flow into the pool. An outdoor living room -complete with roof and fireplace- and a full outdoor kitchen turned this suburban backyard an exotic "home away from home."

 

The International Awards of Excellence competition is designed to encourage perfection in pool construction, and is open to professional pool and spa builders from around the world. In reviewing the 900-plus entries, the judges took beauty and creativity into consideration. They also noted trends in design, the use of cutting-edge technology, and quality of workmanship.

 

Southernwind Pools is an independent pool contractor that specializes in designing, building and servicing custom pools in the greater Dallas - McKinney area.

 

The APSP is the international trade association that serves as a global resource and voice for the recreational water industry. The APSP also delivers public relations, advertising and water safety messages reaching the public and consumers. More info on the APSP at www.APSP.org