Your Dream Awaits!

A family vacation right in your backyard... A neighborhood hot spot where the kids enjoy endless Marco Polo games... An evening oasis for grilling and entertaining… A morning retreat for exercise and reflection…

No matter what your dreams are for your swimming pool, an inground pool from Fort Wayne Pools will make them come true. Regardless of the size of your budget or backyard, our high-quality pool will provide years of entertainment and enjoyment for your family.

Take a moment to look over all that Fort Wayne Pools has to offer, and then contact your local Strong Support builder to make it happen!

Fort Wayne Pools - Elite - Figure Eight

The Elite Pool ~ Figure Eight

Tru-Tile combines the beauty and luxury of ceramic tile with the ease and convenience of a vinyl liner, offering you the best of both worlds for your pool. Get the look of a tiled, gunite pool without the cost or maintenance issues!

The Tru-Tile system includes a 6” border of real ceramic tile along the waterline with a vinyl liner below. With limitless possibilities for tile selection, you really can make the pool your own. Perfect for new pools or retro-fit installations on older pools, Tru-Tile gives you the comfort and ease of vinyl and the classic beauty of real tile.

To learn more about Fort Wayne's Tru-Tile system, go to http://elite.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Elite - Figure Eight

The Elite Pool ~ Figure Eight

The look of your pool is yours to create and coordinate! This fabulous Figure Eight design is very coordinated with the choice of handrails, steps and other outdoor living space accessories. Your Fort Wayne Pool can be this gorgeous too! Read on...

Exterior Coordinates™ from Fort Wayne Pools is a line of steps, ladders, handrails and interior pool components designed to complement each other, as well as our coping and liners. Unlock your personal sense of style and design with white, gray or blue Exterior Coordinates.


Pool ladders and pool handrails come in white and gray to match our standard coping colors and complement any liner and step combination.

To find out more about Exterior Coordinates go to http://elite.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Elite - San Luis Rey

The Elite Pool ~ San Luis Rey

Fort Wayne Pools was the first to make stairs for vinyl-lined pools in 1972. They're extremely durable, easy to clean and maintain, and available in a wide variety of sizes and styles.

Our Acrylic/Fiberglass stairs are inherently rigid and strong. Acrylic and fiberglass stairs are vacuum-formed from a single piece of snow white acrylic, then hand laid with multiple layers of fiberglass for unsurpassed structural support. The strength is built into the stair itself.

To learn more about our acrylic and fiberglass steps from Fort Wayne Pools, go to http://elite.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Elite - San Juan



The Elite Pool - San Juan



Add the magic of fiber optics to light up your nighttime poolscape like this breathtaking Elite Pool called San Juan. The maximum-strength, 42 strand perimeter fiber from Fiberstars Inc., fits into a special channel built into our Edgelight coping that bounces softly diffused light off the surface of your pool. Available in a wide range of colors, both static and changing, these fiber optics are the most advanced pool perimeter lighting system available.

To learn more about fiber optic coping from Edgelight, go to http://elite.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Elite - San Juan

The Elite Pool - San Juan

Add the magic of fiber optics to light up your Elite Pool's nighttime poolscape like in this San Juan design.

The maximum-strength, 42 strand perimeter fiber from Fiberstars Inc., fits into a special channel built into our Edgelight coping that bounces softly diffused light off the surface of your pool.

Available in a wide range of colors, both static and changing, these fiber optics are the most advanced pool perimeter lighting system available.

To learn more about fiber optic coping from Edgelight go to http://elite.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Elite - San Luis Rey

The Elite Pool - San Luis Rey

Fort Wayne Pools was the first to make stairs for vinyl-lined pools in 1972. They're extremely durable, easy to clean and maintain, and available in a wide variety of sizes and styles.

Our Acrylic/Fiberglass stairs are inherently rigid and strong. Acrylic and fiberglass stairs are vacuum-formed from a single piece of snow white acrylic, then hand laid with multiple layers of fiberglass for unsurpassed structural support. The strength is built into the stair itself.

To learn more about our acrylic and fiberglass steps from Fort Wayne Pools, go to http://elite.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Elite - Single Roman

The Elite Pool - Single Roman

The most important part of your pool is the wall and the bracing system. The Elite wall system is simply the best and strongest in the industry.

Our structural polymer molding process allows us to produce a pool panel with thick rugged walls that are, in many ways, as strong as steel and impervious to corrosion. That means it will not rust or oxidize over time. In fact, we’re so confident of that strength, we offer a lifetime warranty on the pool wall structure.

To learn more about Fort Wayne Pools Elite series, go to http://elite.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Elite - Round Spillover Spa

The Elite Pool - Round Spillover Spa

Spillover Spa...aaahh!
The soothing waterfall effect brings tranquility and relaxation to your backyard. Adjustable massaging jets work together to ease your stress, aches and pains, all while sitting in a luxurious spa that is part of your own home!!

Our spillover spas come in round like the one shown here, square, or scalloped models and in a variety of colors designed to coordinate with vinyl liner patterns. To learn more about Fort Wayne Pools Spillover Spas, go to http://elite.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Elite - Square Spillover Spa

The Elite Pool - Square Spillover Spa

Spillover Spa...aaahhhh!

The soothing waterfall effect brings tranquility and relaxation to your backyard. Adjustable massaging jets work together to ease your stress, aches and pains, all while sitting in a luxurious spa that is part of your own home!!

Our spillover spas come in round, square, or scalloped models and in a variety of colors designed to coordinate with vinyl liner patterns. To see more photos of our Spillover Spas from Fort Wayne Pools, go to http://elite.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Elite - True-L

The Elite Pool - True-L

At Fort Wayne Pools, we are the leading manufacturer of pool substructure components which are 100% our own. Walls, braces, liners, coping, steps and other pool component accessories - all designed to work and fit together in perfect unity, all 100% Fort Wayne Pools.

There's no better inground pool money can buy than one from Fort Wayne Pools. We'll make sure that never changes.

To see a complete photo gallery of Elite Pools from Fort Wayne Pools, go to http://elite.surfthepool.com/elite-pool-gallery.cfm

Fort Wayne Pools - Sterling - Celebrity

The Sterling Pool - Celebrity

There is a Sterling Pool to fit almost any budget and almost any yard. It takes 75% less time to install a vinyl lined pool as compared to other pool construction technologies.


Maybe you like parties or sophisticated evenings at home by the poolside.

In that case you might like a pool like this Celebrity.

Regardless of which pool design you choose, it's your decision, your lifestyle and your expectations.

With so many standard shapes and sizes, it's a good bet your Sterling Pool will live up to them. For more information, check out http://sterling.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Sterling - Lagoon

The Sterling Pool - Lagoon

Unity. Cohesion. Style through Harmony.

Exterior Coordinates makes it all possible on this Lagoon design Sterling pool from Fort Wayne Pools.

Available in two colors, Exterior Coordinates steps are designed to match our most popular liners - Stone Tite, Stonehenge, Inverness, and Versailles. In addition, they come in several styles that allow you to further craft the look of your pool.

For more information about Exterior Coordinates, go to http://sterling.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Sterling - Lagoon

The Sterling Pool - Lagoon

This Lagoon design features pool components from Exterior Coordinates such as ladders, steps, and handrails.


Exterior Coordinates brings the principles of interior design outdoors and puts the ability to craft the look of your pool completely in your hands.

Exterior Coordinates ladders and handrails come in white and gray, designed to match our standard white and gray coping, and to complement any liner and step combination.

Unleash the designer within, with Exterior Coordinates from Fort Wayne Pools!

For more information, check out http://sterling.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Sterling - Lagoon

The Sterling Pool - Lagoon

Art - Furniture - Paint - Tile - Carpet - Wallpaper - Cabinets

The tools for interior decorating are virtually limitless. But try and bring a sense of style to your backyard. Try to design a poolscape that reflects your personal taste and imagination, and your options are limited. At least they WERE.

With Exterior Coordinates from Fort Wayne Pools you now have an array of choices for coordinating the look of your pool that was formerly the exclusive territory of interior designers. Shapes, liners, coping? That's a start. But Exterior Coordinates brings steps, ladders, handrails and interior pool components into the mix as well. Now you can coordinate every element of your pool right down to the drain cover!!

This Lagoon design Sterling pool from Fort Wayne Pools incorporates a multitude of these design ideas into this beautiful backyard get-a-way!

For more information about Sterling Pools from Fort Wayne Pools, go to http://sterling.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Sterling - Lagoon

The Sterling Pool - Lagoon

Take a close look at this Lagoon design Sterling pool from Fort Wayne Pools. The steps on the left are Wedding Cake steps and they add a customized look to this pool.

Wedding cake steps are designed to work with the Tru-Tile perimeter tile mount system. They also add pizzazz to the overall appearance of your pool. With a raised tread pattern for a slip resistant finish, wedding cake steps are totally non-corrosive, non-abrasive and non-stressful. And they come with a 25 year warranty!

For more information about our warranty, go to http://sterling.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Sterling - Patrician 2' Radius 1a

The Sterling Pool - Patrician 2' Radius

There is a Sterling Pool to fit almost any budget and almost any yard. Take this Patrician 2' Radius design. This is a pool that you can enjoy entertaining friends and family or just for swimming some laps.

It's your decision, your lifestyle and your expectations. With so many standard shapes and sizes, it's a good bet that your Sterling Pool will live up to them!

To view more pool designs like the Patrician, go to http://www.sterling.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Sterling - Tropic



The Sterling Pool - Tropic

 The breathtaking deck jets on this Tropic design Sterling pool from Fort Wayne Pools is an open invitation to take a cool, refreshing dip!

Take a look at the luxury landscaping. It's easy to have your own private retreat in your backyard when your backyard looks like this.

Also, a raised bond beam is an excellent way to add depth and dimension to any Fort Wayne backyard poolscape. The raised area can be used as a planter, spa, fire pit, or sitting area like shown in this photo.

To see more photos of pool designs like the Tropic, go to http://sterling.surfthepool.com/

Fort Wayne Pools - Sterling- Summerville

The Sterling Pool - Summerville

Unity. Cohesion. Style through Harmony.

Exterior Coordinates makes it all possible on this Summerville design Sterling pool from Fort Wayne Pools.
Available in two colors, Exterior Coordinates steps are designed to match our most popular liners - Stone Tite, Stonehenge, Inverness, and Versailles. In addition, they come in several styles that allow you to further craft the look of your pool.

For more information about steps for your Fort Wayne Pool, go to http://sterling.surfthepool.com/

Blue Hawaiian Acquisition

Viking Pools, LLC, a division of Latham International, announced today that it has acquired Blue Hawaiian Pools, a leading manufacturer of fiberglass swimming pools.

Roger Erdelac, owner of Blue Hawaiian Pools, said: "I am pleased to be able to ensure that our loyal customers will have ongoing access to the Blue Hawaiian product line. By selling the business to the leader in the industry, I am confident that our customers will benefit from Viking's size, strength, and experience. This industry has been very good to me, but I am planning to retire, and was seeking the right partner to allow me to accomplish my goals."

Blue Hawaiian operates manufacturing plants in Largo, FL and Rocky Mount, NC. Tom Straub, Viking's VP Sales & Marketing said: "Blue Hawaiian is a well regarded competitor, with many quality builders throughout the southeastern and midwestern portions of the U.S. We look forward to offering these customers great service, and industry leading marketing programs. This is a win-win for Blue Hawaiian builders and Viking."

Latham International produces several highly respected brands including: Pacific Pools, Ft. Wayne Pools, Kafko Pools, and Coverstar Autocovers. Mark Laven, Latham's President & CEO, said that he was "very pleased to add Blue Hawaiian to the Company's family of brands. We have made several acquisitions over the course of this past decade, and we’re pleased that Roger turned to us seeking an exit for his business. We restructured our balance sheet last year, and now are once again strong enough to be in a position to get these deals done readily."

Latham International operates 15 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. In January 2010 it became a portfolio company of Littlejohn & Co., a Greenwich, CT based private equity firm.

2010 International Awards of Excellence

The annual Awards of Excellence (AOE) recognizes the most beautiful and creative installation of pools, hot tubs and water features across the United States and around the world.
The entry submission site for the 40th International Awards of Excellence competition is now open!

The competition is open only to APSP-member builders, designers, service and retail firms. To enter, visit the entry site https://tbccom.com/APSP/National/, where you will also find award categories, helpful photography hints, judging criteria and entry rules and regulations. Best of luck with your submissions!

Who Can Enter the Competition?

All entrants in the International Awards of Excellence competition must be current. The competition is open to pool/spa or hot tub builders/installers, designers, retailers or service companies that receive payment for the installation being submitted. A manufacturer or distributor may submit entries on behalf of APSP member builders/installers, designers, etc., but the recognition will go to the firm that received payment for the installation. Duplicate plaques may be purchased at a later date listing the manufacturer or distributor, and the installer of the installation.

The deadline is Sunday, Aug 15, 2010.

Pool Dig Unearths Prehistoric Fossils!

The Leyden home in Brighton, TN was the cause of much excitement recently when prehistoric fossils were unearthed during the installation of their new inground swimming pool from Aloha Pools and Spas out of Memphis, TN. 

Subcontractor Dave Mason of Affordable Pool Contractors unearthed the jawbone while digging 8 feet down to install the drain line for the new pool.  Unaware at the time that the crack he heard while digging was actually the shovel hitting a little piece of tooth!  The dig came to a halt and Mrs. Leyden phoned her husband Jim to give him the exciting news!

Roy Young, conservator at Memphis Pink Palace Museum was brought on the scene and later was able to extract a tooth still attached to the fossil.  Experts think they are the bones of a prehistoric mammal, possibly a trilophodon, a member of the mastodon family, extinct predecessors of elephants.

One expert is estimating the fossils to be anywhere from 30,000 years old to 2 million years old.  If the 2-foot-long wishbone shaped jawbone is indeed from a trilophodon that would mark the first time fossils of this type were found in Tennessee and may possibly lead to more research in the area.

The Leyden family has enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame and planning to donate the fossils, possibly to the Memphis Pink Palace Museum.  In the meantime, they're looking forward to enjoying their new pool!

Fort Wayne Pools - 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 Presents Reader's Choice 2010 Top 50 Products!

We're thrilled to announce that three of our exclusive Strong Support liner patterns were 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 three new daVinci liner patterns from Fort Wayne Pools were chosen as one of the Reader's Choice 2010 Top 50!


From the pages of Pool & Spa News:

The daVinci Code - Fort Wayne Pools offers three new liner patterns in its daVinci brand.

The Legato design features an eye-fooling "Escher-esque" pattern in a 9-inch tile with beige and gray geometric shapes set against the Prism wall.

The Roman palace-inspired Santorini uses small, square tiles to create a larger 9-inch block in gray, aqua, blues and a hint of beige with an embossed leaf centered in a rope frame. It compliments the Crystal wall.

Galena is a large stone mosaic pattern in a 9-inch height, featuring an array of natural earth tones. It also goes with the Prism wall.

 
 
 
 
 

Welcome to Fort Wayne Pools!

Welcome to the official launch of the Fort Wayne Pools blog! Let me start by telling you who we are and how we got started and introduce you to Fort Wayne Pools.

Fort Wayne Pools was founded in 1968 in Lyle Bertsch’s garage, building and selling fiberglass steps. In 1972 with one style of fiberglass step, one salesperson and one production employee, Lyle went to his first trade show, the National Show in New York City. There he sold 40 steps and Fort Wayne Pools was officially in business.

Fort Wayne Pools increased the step line over the next few years. In the early 1970’s Fort Wayne Pools began building gel coated fiberglass wall panel pools with concrete bottoms and moved to a facility in Industrial Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana. By the mid 1970’s, the offering had expanded to include polymer wall panels. Polymer was innovative in that it didn’t blister, crack or corrode.

The 1980’s brought a new building and the in-house manufacturing of polymer wall panels. Vinyl liners were added to the product line giving consumers another option for inground swimming pools. Shortly thereafter, Spas were added to the product line as well. Lyle Bertsch retired and sold the business to his son Robin Bertsch and Rick Garton, the original salesperson, along with other investors.

The capabilities of the manufacturing facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana continued to grow to include non-swimming pool plastic items. In the late 1980’s, diving boards, slides and steel wall pool components for swimming pools had also become part of the product line.

The 1990’s brought more changes; the Spa Division and the Slide & Dive Departments were sold. Eventually the Plastics Division was sold and the company moved next door, which is our current location on Gettysburg Pike, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Fort Wayne Pools was an early innovator in the manufacture of polymer wall panels; it was the first company to manufacture pool entry steps for vinyl liner pools and the first to create the original StoneTite™ liners. These innovative liners were a selection of liner floor patterns (blue base, gray base, green base and a teal base) that were made to coordinate with the texture of the colored steps that created the exterior coordinates program and was exclusive to Fort Wayne Pools. The texture was integrated with the colors and was exclusive patterns. And if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we’re proud to say that it’s been copied by every other liner manufacturer in the industry!

In 2004, Fort Wayne Pools joined the Latham International family of companies. Latham International is North America’s largest manufacturer of inground packaged pool components, so this was a perfect fit.

Fort Wayne Pools has spent over 40 years building our reputation, and because that reputation rests on every component we manufacture, our quality controls are second to none. Our industry recognized brands include the Sterling™ steel pool and the Elite™ polymer pool. We are a leading manufacturer of pool wall systems, braces, coping, steps, spillover and inground spas, vinyl liners and safety covers. Our products are sold and installed by pool builders who are members of our “Strong Support” network of dealers – some of the best pool builders in the nation – and are backed by an outstanding warranty program. Our other popular brands include Oasis, Frontier and Premium.

Fort Wayne Pools has been manufacturing swimming pool components in America’s heartland for more than 40 years and we’re only just getting started. Our products are offered all across the U.S. I invite you to come back often and learn what other innovative, dynamic changes we have waiting for you!

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