Residential Pool Construction on the rise at PKStory
by Loretta Fulton
It didn’t take people long to realize that being outdoors was the perfect way to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic that struck with a vengeance in March 2020.
As a result, businesses tied to lake traffic started seeing a rebound not long after it became obvious that COVID was here to stay for an indefinite time. That’s true of stores that cater to boating enthusiasts and to fishermen. And, it’s true of the swimming pool industry.
“Once we hit April 2020, the pool business really skyrocketed,†said George Berre, owner of the Premier Pools and Spas franchise located in Wichita Falls. His sales and service area includes Possum Kingdom Lake, where the pool and spa business is booming.
Other companies that build pools and spas around the Possum Kingdom area, such as J. Caldwell Custom Pools in Fort Worth and RedFin Pools in Brock, say the same thing. The only thing slowing down the industry is lingering supply chain issues that resulted from COVID. The big freeze that struck Texas in February 2021 only made matters worse, said Justin Six, who with Kyle Clark owns RedFin Pools in Brock.
“I guess you could say it was the perfect storm,†Six said.
The biggest supply chain issue that builders have noticed is specialized pool equipment such as lights and some materials that are imported from other countries. After the freeze, most pools in the area needed repairs using many of the same parts and materials needed for new construction, which only added to the supply chain slow down.
“While COVID did play a major role in supply chain issues,†Six said, “the long freeze Texas received last year played an equal part in making materials hard to come by.â€
Another issue facing builders at Possum Kingdom has nothing to do with a pandemic or the weather. It’s terrain. Grade changes, cliff lines, and a rocky terrain make digging a pool at Possum Kingdom a challenge. J. Caldwell Custom Pools has been installing pools at Possum Kingdom for more than 18 years, said Taylor Christopher, vice president for sales, and knows how to deal with it. But those challenges also create an opportunity.
“It allows for some of the coolest projects that we have ever designed,†Christopher said.
Here’s a look at three major businesses that design, install and repair pools and outdoor settings for Possum Kingdom Lake customers.
Premier Pools & Spas
Wichita Falls
Office: 940-867-1183
Cell: 214-263-0828
George Berre, owner
Website:www.ppas.com
George Berre opened a franchise in Wichita Falls two years ago, but the company was established in 1988. Its website says Premier is the “largest pool builder in the world†and that edge has helped tremendously with supply chain issues because of purchasing power, Berre said. Most of Premier’s business at Possum Kingdom is at private homes, Berre said, but Premier is in the design phase of a huge pool at a lake resort. Airbnb and Vrbo rentals also are adding pools to enhance their attractiveness.
“If they have a pool,†Berre said, “they’re able to rent those properties out for a lot more money.â€
Like other pool diggers working at the lake, Berre cited the rocky terrain as an issue. Construction crews use rock hammers to make the work a little easier, but it is still a tough job.
“It is challenging,†Berre said.
Like most businesses, the swimming pool industry sees trends in what people want. It used to be that everyone wanted a pool with one end deep enough for diving. Now, people are wanting pools with a tanning ledge, hot tubs, and shallow areas for wading and lounging. Grottos and waterfalls also are popular. Children, especially, like the sense of adventure those provide.
“It feels like you’re kind of in a lagoon cave,†Berre said.
Although Premier Pools & Spas has only been in the Possum Kingdom area for two years, the company’s national construction director, Kevin Nicklas, has historical connections to the area. His great-great-grandfather, William Nicklas, and his family moved to what is now the west side of the lake from Louisiana in the late 1800s. They lived in a dugout and homesteaded their land near what later became the Fox Hollow community. The government bought them out when the land was condemned to build the lake, with construction on the dam beginning in 1938.
Kevin Nicklas’ grandfather, Willis “John†Jackson, helped build the dam for the Brazos River Authority. Kevin Nicklas’ father, the late Jim Nicklas, worked part time for the BRA. And, an uncle was a county judge in Palo Pinto County.
Kevin Nicklas, who lives in Katy, attended school in Graford and Mineral Wells and still has family in the area. Each year over the Labor Day weekend, the family gets together for a reunion at the YMCA campground.
RedFin Pools
1800 FM 1189
Brock, Texas 76087
817-618-9465
Website: https://redfinpools.com/
No one wanted to see a pandemic set in, but once the reality took hold, people began thinking about leisure time in a different way. And that definitely affected the pool industry, said Justin Six, co-owner with Kyle Clark of RedFin Pools in Brock.
“When families were restricted with travel, had to wear masks, and allowed to work from home,†Six said, “they started creating their own fun zones.â€
Six said customers are split about 50-50 between traditional straight-line pools and freeform designs. Used to be that everyone wanted a straight-line pool, then the demand shifted to freeform for a long time.
“Nowadays, the straight-line pools are considered modern,†Six noted. “Funny, that was the norm back in the day.â€
RedFin, with over 20 years in the pool construction business, normally has five to 10 projects in the works at Possum Kingdom, Six said. Besides the challenge of constructing pools in the Possum Kingdom terrain, Six said the number of contractors in the area is limited. The ones that are available are great to work with, Six said, and love the area.
The rugged terrain always presents problems, and people are wanting pools dug closer to the cliff line. But, like others, Six looked on the bright side.
“Elevations change and unique properties produce the most unique and admirable projects,†he said. “We love to work out of the box and create one-off custom projects.â€
A major project that RedFin has in the works is at Rock Creek Camp and RV Resort. Six is grateful to be chosen for the project, which promises to be spectacular.
“Diane Wallace, the owner, had only one vision in mind and that was to build something that all age ranges could enjoy,†Six said. “Her goal was to build amenities that families would enjoy coming back to over and over again.â€
The project is one of the more expensive ones for RedFin, but prices vary according to size, materials, and unique features.
“If I was to take out the lowest end pools and all major projects,†Six said, “I’d say a good happy medium would be $85,000 to $150,000.â€
J. Caldwell Custom Pools
5744 Boat Club Road #200
Fort Worth
817-237-7665
Website: https://www.jcaldwellcustompools.com/
John Caldwell and Taylor Christopher partnered in 2007 to form J. Caldwell Custom Pools in Fort Worth. Christopher had previously worked for Caldwell at his All About Pools & Irrigation business in 2002. Today, Christopher is vice president of sales for J. Caldwell Custom Pools and has designed hundreds of spas and outdoor kitchens.
Besides its Fort Worth business, the company also has a robust presence at Possum Kingdom, building 15 to 20 pools per year, primarily at private residences. J. Caldwell also has done some commercial work at the lake.
“We actually won an award for The Pointe,†which is located in The Harbor, Christopher said.
J. Caldwell Custom Pools still is suffering from supply chain issues as a result of COVID but the situation is much better than a year ago. J. Caldwell adapted to the problem, Christopher said, by re-tooling its process to allow for longer lead times when ordering materials, equipment, and speciality items.
Business has increased at J. Caldwell, like other outdoors-related businesses, due to COVID and the extremely hot summer that the country is experiencing.
“Everyone camped out at the lake house during COVID or purchased new property and saw the benefit of adding a swimming pool,†Christopher said. “Also, this summer has been particularly hot, and that always spikes the demand for a swimming pool.â€
J. Caldwell Custom Pools offers every type of pool design such as straight-line, freeform, and elite pools. And, the company offers pool maintenance, service, and remodeling as well as outdoor living designs. No matter the type of home a customer has, J. Caldwell can add a pool that suits the style.
“Pool trends tend to follow the house trends,†Christopher said.
