Are You Ready to Take the Plunge?

Katy Texas Families Share the Pleasures of Pool Ownership

© Katy Magazine - Katy, Texas 2006
June 01, 2006

By Kathy Howard

It’s not unusual for large crowds of teenagers to gather around the Peroyea’s backyard swimming pool. That’s just the way Miles and Nancy Peroyea like it. The Peroyea family’s main purpose in building a pool was to create a gathering place for their sons and their teenage friends. They definitely succeeded. Eighteen-year-old Trey and 16-year-old Trent constantly have friends over to hang out. “We like having the kids and their friends here,” Nancy says. “While the pool gives the boys and their friends some reedom and space, it is still close enough for Miles and me to supervise.”

The Peroyeas are just one of many local families who have made an informed and purposeful decision to include a backyard pool in their lifestyle. Katy’s warm climate and the benefits that accompany pool ownership are encouraging more and more families to take the plunge.

However each backyard pool is as individual as the family who uses it. Will the pool entertain large groups of teenagers or provide quiet relaxation and play for young families? Questions like these help a family determine what specific amenities and customized features to include in their pool.

Mini Resorts at Home
The backyard is a prime destination for entertainment and relaxation. Its combination of pool, spa, diving board, BBQ, and volleyball create a mini resort at home. This kind of “backyard package,” may include everything from pools and putting greens to outdoor kitchens and fire pits. According to Barbara Benner of Pleasure Pools this is exactly what families are looking for. “Everyone wants a resort in their backyard,” Barbara says. “People want a self-contained home because that is where they spend the majority of their time.” Right now, in Katy, the backyard is the entertainment hot spot for friends and families.

Focusing on Family Time
Paul and Jackie Marlow have just broken ground on a backyard pool so they can enjoy focused time with their three children. They believe that a pool is more than a financial investment. “We are investing in our family and our family’s health,” Jackie says. Lauren, 10, Eleanor, 8, and Oliver, 4, can hardly wait to spend the summer days splashing around the pool with Mom and Dad. Although the Marlow’s have access to several neighborhood pools they firmly believe having one in their own backyard will greatly benefit their family. The area pools are only open for a portion of Katy’s long swimming season. Additionally, getting all three kids to a pool away from home can be difficult. “It is a massive effort to get three kids and all their stuff there,” Jackie explains. She is excited about the convenience of having a pool right out the back door.

Before moving to Katy in 2002, Jackie and Paul Marlow never envisioned themselves as pool owners. Where they grew up, on the coast of the North Sea in England, very few people have pools because of the cool climate. But the Katy weather changed their minds. Jackie explains, “If we did not do this now I believe that when we look back we would regret not taking advantage of the climate in Katy.” The Marlows spent a lot of time thinking about what they wanted in a pool. Jackie is concerned about aesthetics and functionality. She wants it to be relaxing and pleasing to look at while also meeting the needs of her family. Their kidney-shaped pool includes waterfall with a slide, a jump rock, a tanning ledge, and a spa. While Lauren and Eleanor are most excited about the slide, Jackie knows that young Oliver will make good use of the shallow tanning ledge. To provide the best traction for little feet, the Marlows chose to surround their pool with Sun Deck, which is a concrete overlay.

Saltwater Systems on the Rise
The Marlows new pool will have a salt system instead of the conventional chlorine. “Salt systems are the single most popular trend over the last year and a half,” says Adam Traugott with Sunset Pools. He estimates that nine out of ten new pools he installs have salt systems.

A salt system offers great benefits for the pool owner. Not only is the softer water healthier for the skin and hair but there is also less trouble and maintenance. The pool owner periodically dumps in a bag of salt. The salt residual in the system then produces the proper amount of chlorine. The owner no longer has to buy, store, or handle the chlorine.

What’s Next?
A backyard swimming pool can provide years of healthy, quality time with family and friends and even keep your teenagers at home. Eight year-old Eleanor Marlow thinks the building of their new pool is a sign that the time may be right for another important family decision. “Now I wonder if I can persuade my dad to get a dog!”

Kathy Howard is a Katy-based freelance writer, wife of a petroleum engineer, and mother of three teenagers.

Contact these area pool companies if you are considering building a custom pool.

Richard’s Total Backyard Solutions
1701 Hwy. 6 S.
713-777-7665
www.richardsspas.com

Sunset Pools, Inc.
Katy, TX
281-693-4896
www.sunsetpoolsinc.com

Katy Custom Pools
5627 Highway 90 Blvd.
Katy, TX
281-392-7680
www.katycustompools.com

Pleasure Pools
Katy, TX
281-693-7565
www.pleasurepoolshou.com

Artisan Pool & Embellishment Services
930 S Mason Rd. Katy, TX
281-395-2737
www.apespools.com

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