We Give Back

What is Pool Builders Academy? It is a hands-on technical course where attendees will learn the proper way to install a residential, polymer-wall or steel-wall inground vinyl liner pool.

Lighthouse Ranch Build!

Upon completion of the program, attendees receive 32 hours of APSP technical credit and a complimentary Signature Series inground liner (up to 16 x 32).

Who should attend? Anyone entering into the pool construction business should attend a build, as well as seasoned builders who have hired new employees, or anyone who would like a refresher course. Participants at the Pool Builders Academy are able to enhance their skills and learn pool construction techniques in a hands-on environment.

Peter Moran, Technical Services Manager of North America, takes on this huge undertaking and runs two of these each year. We donate the pool kits. The white goods, pump and filtration equipment are all donated by industry partners. Coverstar LLC donates the automatic cover. Construction equipment and crew time are donated by local builders.

Crumley House Pool!

Acknowledging our social responsibility and our commitment to give back - our builds are for nonprofit organizations. Recent builds include a wheelchair-accessible, heated ingorund swimming pool at Crumley House Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center in Johnson City, TN. The Crumley House specializes in the rehabilitation of brain injury survivors.

Other nonprofit recipients include the Lighthouse Ranch for Boys in Loranger, LA. Lighthouse Ranch is a home for at-risk young men who struggle with substance abuse and behavioral issues. The site houses a school, living facility and several counselors and care workers.

Tupelo Children's Mansion!

The Tupelo Children's Mansion is another nonprofit organization that is happily enjoying their new 18 X 36 inground swimming pool! The Tupelo Children's Mansion is a facility that offers temporary and longer-term care to children in need of a safe and loving environment. The home also houses troubled teenage girls at the Haven of Hope home, hosts an on-campus school, and provides social workers and counselors for the children.

The next Pool Builders Academy is planned for October in Pell City, Alabama with the build of a polymer pool. If you would like to be a member of this class and learn about code awareness, pool layout, excavation, panel, brace and step assembly, plumbing, liners, deck options, and safety--all from APSP certified builders, please click on the email link with your contact info. It’s a great feeling to give back!

Pool & Spa News Reader's Choice 2010 Top 50 Products

We're pleased to report that one of our exclusive Showcase liner patterns was chosen as one of Pool & Spa News Reader's Choice 2010 Top 50 Products!

Pool & Spa News took note of industry interest in items that printed in their annual New Product Supplement. Those generating the most buzz were included in the May 14th issue! We're very proud to boast that the new Isabella liner pattern from Pacific Pools was chosen as one of the Reader's Choice 2010 Top 50!


From the pages of Pool & Spa News:
Lovely Leaves

The new Isabella liner pattern from Pacific Pools is part of its Pacifc brand. The sublte, classically designed 9-inch tile features a dark blue leaf with white highlights on a light-gray field, backed with a blue base film. The overall effect looks as if the pattern is embossed on a blue granite wall, giving the pool water an elegant hue. 

Take a look at this extremely popular vinyl liner pattern and see what the fuss is all about!

Pacific Pools - Who We Are

Welcome to the official launch of the Pacific Pools blog! This is where I would like to introduce you to Pacific Pools. Let me start by telling you who we are and how we got started.

Pacific Pools was founded in 1956 by Merrill Laven, father of our current President and CEO, Mark Laven. Merrill originally sold home improvement products and vinyl-lined, wood-wall pools under the name Pacific Pools.

Initially, growth was through the expansion of the retail pool business and Pacific Pools became one of the largest pool builders in the country with locations in Syracuse, NY, Hartford, CT, Providence, RI, Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA.

The 1960’s was a time of change and it was no different for Pacific Pools. Frustrated that manufacturers weren’t responsive to what consumers wanted, Pacific Pools got into the manufacturing side of the business to develop new products to best meet the needs of consumers.

Pacific Pools opened our first steel pool manufacturing plant in 1965, and one year later, the first steel walk-in steps system in a vinyl-liner pool was offered. This gave consumers the option of adding steps in addition to ladders. Pacific Pools ended the decade by offering the first vinyl liner with a tile motif at the waterline. Prior to this, pool liners were only available in white or blue and consumers asked for more choices.

Pacific Pools can proudly boast a number of “firsts” based on customer focus, with our continuous development of new products and the enhancement of existing products!

In 1972 Pacific Pools opened its own liner manufacturing plant. Initially, all liners were sourced from a supplier in California. A facility in the east cut delivery times, shipping costs and made liners more readily available and gave us the option to offer consumers more of what they wanted. In 1973, the first polymer pool component - the K-brace was rolled out. This brace was the first totally non-corrosive component available. In 1975, the all-resin inground pool made its debut, again non-corrosive. In 1976 Pacific Pools followed up with the first structural polymer pool that incorporates the wall, coping and liner track into modular pool panels. Still not satisfied to sit back and watch, the first one-piece thermoplastic step in the industry was unveiled in 1979! Unlike steel steps, it doesn’t need to be bolted together and assured a wrinkle free step area.

All of these innovative, pioneering products led to the emergence of Pacific Pools as one of he leading manufacturers in the industry.

The 1980’s were highlighted by ownership changes. In 1982 brothers Mark and Robert Laven and three other partners acquired the company from their father and expanded the company into custom molding. Then, in 1987 they bought out their partners. The 1980’s ended with the Cookson Group acquiring the company and Pacific Industries became the principal business of Cookson’s Recreational Products Division.

The 1990’s brought more changes. Pacific Pools expanded from manufacturing to include distribution. Shortly after, the TES Support System (Total Encapsulated Support) was added to the product line. This pioneering patented system encapsulates tread supports in pool steps for optimum tread support and strength. Pacific Pools followed up with the 3D liner patterns that offer realistic tile images for liners. This revolutionized the vinyl liner segment of the pool industry. Prior to the introduction of 3D liner patterns, all liner patterns were 1 dimensional and visually flat.
Mark Laven left the company in the early 1990’s, but in 2001, he reacquired the company along with two private equity investors, Summer Street Capital and HSBC Capital Canada.

This new decade continued the tradition of new product offerings and growth. In 2004 we introduced the Wedding Cake Step, the first one-piece molded inside step. The Wedding Cake Step was designed for the vinyl over application on new construction, but it was also perfect for renovation because it can be dropped into an existing pool.

TruTile (Perimeter Tile System) was added to the product line a year later. It is the first system that attaches to the pool wall allowing real ceramic tile to be applied at the waterline of a vinyl liner pool, combining the beauty of tile with the low maintenance of a vinyl liner. In addition, we developed a water-tight patented bead system on the TruTile extrusion that allows the vinyl liner to be hung underwater. This system eliminates waterline discoloration and extends the life of the liner.

The decade closed with the introduction of the Personal Hydrotherapy seat, allowing consumers to interchange massaging JetPak configurations to fit their own personal style!

Under President and CEO Mark Laven’s guidance and through acquisitions, Pacific Pools has continued to expand and grow. Pacific Pools, under the Latham International umbrella, has become the largest manufacturer of inground packaged pool components in North America! Continually striving to “outdo” ourselves and remain customer focused and dedicated to delivering exceptional products, and by developing innovations in materials, technology, design, customer service and marketing, Pacific Pools has had a significant impact on the evolution of the pool industry!

Our products are sold and installed by pool builders who are members of our “Showcase” network of dealers. All of our pools are backed by an outstanding warranty program. (Click here to visit our warranty site). Our corporate headquarters remain in Latham, NY where it all started!

Come back often to visit with us and learn what other surprises we have in store for you! Remember, Nothing’s As Cool As A Pool!

My name is Denise Mickalonis and I have been with Pacific Pools since July 2003. I am the Marketing Communications Specialist and I will be sharing information with you. I welcome your comments and questions.