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Successful Public Pool and Spa Reopening During the Covid-19 Pandemic

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Successful Public Pool and Spa Reopening During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Last year, the government demanded the closure of all swimming pools and spas. They did all this to prevent the number of coronavirus infections. Now, things are slightly different. Some pool facilities are open, but pool owners need to observe specific regulations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came up with several safety measures regarding pool and spa reopening.

Successful Public Pool and Spa Reopening During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Fortunately, the covid-19 virus cannot survive in pool water. Remember, swimming pools use a lot of chemicals like bromine and chlorine. Such chemicals deactivate the virus. However, swimmers should still practice social distancing. Otherwise, an infected person can pass the virus to a healthy person through respiratory droplets. Both swimmers and staff members should regularly wash their hands and disinfect surfaces. In this article, we summarize the respective guidelines issued by the CDC.

A general overview of pool and spa reopening guidelines

All commercial swimming facilities should create a strategy that incorporates certain aspects. These aspects include:

  • Identifying the new bather load capacity is based on state guidelines. in general, you should not exceed 50% of the bather load capacity. Also, swimmers should be six feet away from each other.
  • Formulating a schedule for cleaning times.
  • Wearing masks and protective garments.
  • Screening of employees and guests.
  • Observing social distancing.
  • Plan how to deal with infected employees.
  • Display information to the public on how to protect themselves in the pool area.

Recommendations for operating places of work

Below are the guidelines that apply to places of work and public facilities.

  • Anyone infected with the virus should not report to work.
  • Keep a distance of six feet between each other.
  • Wear proper face masks at all times, unless you are eating or swimming.
  • When coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth using a clean tissue or handkerchief.
  • Always wash hands using water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Additionally, keep sanitizing your hands.

Recommendations for operating commercial swimming pools and spas

In public swimming pools and spas, follow the below guidelines.

  • Identify the number of employees needed to be in the office. Consider letting some of your team members work from home.
  • Make sure all your employees get tested from time to time.
  • All staff members should wear face masks except for on-duty lifeguards.
  • Offer sanitizers and masks in the workplace.

In the midst of a pandemic, how do you calculate bather load capacity?

Every pool owner should determine their pool’s bather load capacity. They can calculate this using a spaced interval of six feet between swimmers. As previously stated, the bather load capacity should be half that of the initial capacity. Nonetheless, because lap pools are smaller, you’ll need a lower bather load capacity. Also, more limitations apply to spas, hot tubs, among other water features.

Boosting safety in the workplace

Commercial pool owners should provide masks and hand sanitizers for their guests and employees. Subsequently, they will help prevent the spread of the virus.

Maintain maximum hygiene in pools

During this time, you should ensure the pool is in good shape. Typically, the pool should have balanced water chemistry and stay clean/disinfected at all times.

Display all necessary information to the public 

Display all covid-19 restriction guidelines to the public. Consider posting them on your website and all social media pages. Also, put them on large signage before the entry of your facility.

Compliance/enforcement

It would be best to come up with more than one or two exit and entry gates in your facilities. Of course, this depends on the number of staff reporting to work. You can also reduce crowding in the workplace by requesting your employees to work in shifts.

Controlling covid-19 infections 

All pool equipment should stay clean and disinfected. Reduce shared furniture around the pool. If possible, ask guests to come with their tables and chairs. Keep disinfecting surfaces from time to time. For indoor pool spaces, ensure the aeration systems are working well. Keep all the windows and doors open. Also, do not allow food vendors to sell within your property.

How to handle a covid-19 illness occurrence

If you happen to have an infected member in your facility, observe the following:

  • Ensure the person leaves the facility and goes into isolation as soon as possible.
  • Shut down and disinfect all areas in your facility. At times, you may have to close down the entire building.
  • Report the incidence to the nearby health practitioners.

Pool and Spa Reopening

Pool owners should communicate all information regarding covid-19 guidelines to the public when it comes to pool and spa reopening. Post the information online and put up noticeable posters in your facility. Vaccinated people should also observe all these practices. A vaccinated person can still serve as a carrier of the virus. Thus, he or she can transfer the virus from one person to another. Ultimately, all public facilities should observe the respective guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Pool News coverage brought to you by Pool Magazine's own Marcus Packer. Marcus Packer is a 20 year pool industry veteran pool builder and pool service technician. In addition to being a swimming pool professional, Marcus has been a writer and long time contributor for Newsweek Magazine's home improvement section and more recently for Florida Travel + Life. Have a story idea or tip you'd like to share with Pool Magazine? Email [email protected] your story idea.

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Why Pools Matter: Pool Horizons Takes Its Message Global

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Why Pools Matter: Pool Horizons Takes Its Message Global

For an industry that spends a great deal of time talking about how pools are built, operated and maintained, Pool Horizons is advancing a different conversation: why swimming pools matter in the first place.

Launched in 2023, Pool Horizons is a global initiative bringing together leaders from the swimming pool industry and broader aquatic community to examine and communicate the role pools play in society. Its work focuses on areas including health and wellbeing, community development, water safety and sustainability, with an emphasis on giving the industry research and real-world examples that demonstrate the value of aquatic spaces beyond recreation.

Over the next several months, Pool Horizons will continue that conversation at major industry gatherings in the United States and Europe, with appearances scheduled in Phoenix, Lyon and Atlantic City.

Pool Horizons Heads to the MasterMind Summit

The first stop will be the PHTA & GENESIS MasterMind Summit, taking place September 16–18 at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Arizona.

Pool Horizons will host a two-hour session on Friday, September 18, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., connecting the cultural and social history of swimming pools with the data-backed narrative the industry is working to develop.

Author and historian Jeff Wiltse will explore the history of swimming pools and their enduring social, cultural and economic importance. Attendees will then hear about the latest Pool Horizons initiatives and how that work applies to the U.S. market.

The session will conclude with industry leaders discussing how different stakeholders can work together to better communicate the value of pools and create new opportunities for the industry.

Taking the Conversation to France

The initiative will head overseas in November for Piscine Global 2026 in Lyon, France.

On November 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pool Horizons will present preliminary findings from the Global Aquatic Social Impact Framework (GASIF) pilot study. The project is aimed at developing a more data-driven understanding of the social impact created by swimming pools and aquatic facilities.

Representatives from participating industry associations in France, Spain and the United States will take part, followed by a roundtable examining the challenges and future of the swimming pool industry. Leaders from CF Group, Fluidra, Hayward and Pentair are scheduled to participate in the discussion.

Pool Horizons will make a second appearance in Lyon during Aqualie on November 19 from 4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. That session will introduce Pool Horizons and showcase a French public swimming pool Best-in-Class project, providing a real-world example of the role aquatic facilities can play within their communities.

Returning to Connect With The Industry in Atlantic City in 2027

The schedule continues into the new year with the Pool Horizons Summit in Atlantic City on January 25, 2027, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Following its 2026 gathering, Pool Horizons will return with a program that includes a keynote presentation, a new Best-in-Class project and contributions from leading figures throughout the swimming pool industry.

Together, the upcoming events provide Pool Horizons with an opportunity to continue building the conversation on both sides of the pond.

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Skimmer Expands Into Pool Construction Software With Acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics

The two software platforms form the foundation of a unified offering for pool professionals; Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds joins Skimmer to lead construction strategy.

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Skimmer Expands Into Pool Construction Software With Acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics

AUSTIN, TX, August 24, 2026 — Skimmer, the leading operating system for pool service and maintenance professionals, today announced the acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics, two software platforms purpose-built for pool construction businesses.

The acquisitions mark Skimmer’s expansion into pool construction and establish the foundation for a unified platform serving pool professionals from construction through ongoing service and maintenance.

As part of the acquisition, Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds, who has extensive experience in the pool construction software space, will join Skimmer, leading the company’s construction strategy and continued investment in solutions for pool builders.

“Our vision is to build an end-to-end platform for the pool and spa industry,” said Jack Nelson, CEO of Skimmer. “Pool Builder Geek brings an AI-native platform designed to evolve quickly with the industry, while Poologics brings a proven product that builders have relied on for years. Together, they significantly accelerate our ability to serve pool construction businesses.”

Pool builders manage complex estimating, permitting, project management, subcontractor coordination, customer communication, and job costing processes. Many still rely on spreadsheets or generic construction tools that were not designed for their specific needs. Pool Builder Geek and Poologics address those challenges with purpose-built capabilities, including estimating, project management, permitting, job costing, and AI-powered visualization.

“Pool builders do not need generic contracting software with a pool label added to it,” said Reynolds. “We built Pool Builder Geek specifically around how pools are sold and built with AI at the core of the platform. Joining Skimmer gives us the resources and expertise to accelerate our product roadmap and deliver even more for the builders we serve. I’m excited about what we can build together and what this means for the future of the pool industry.”

“We built Poologics on the belief that pool construction deserves software designed specifically for the industry,” said Nate Pruitt, CEO of Poologics. “Skimmer has built its business on that same belief for pool service. Together, we can give builders more resources, stronger support, and a faster path to innovation.”

Service and maintenance remain a core focus of Skimmer. The expansion into construction advances the company’s long-term strategy to provide connected, purpose-built tools for pool professionals across the industry.

About Skimmer

Skimmer is one of America’s leading pool service platforms. The company is on a mission to modernize the pool and spa service and repair industry through easy-to-use software and best-in-class support. Over 35,000 pool service professionals servicing 1,000,000+ pools in North America use Skimmer to get organized, get paid faster, and grow their businesses. For more information, visit getskimmer.com.

About Poologics

Poologics is an all-in-one business management platform built specifically for swimming pool builders. It streamlines CRM, estimating, project management, and job costing, helping professionals run their businesses with greater efficiency, accuracy, and control. For more information, visit poologics.com.

About Pool Builder Geek

Pool Builder Geek is an AI-powered project management platform built exclusively for the swimming pool construction and renovation industry. Created by a team with deep experience building software for pool builders, it gives builders purpose-built tools for project tracking, scheduling, subcontractor coordination, budgeting, job costing, and AI-powered backyard visualization. For more information, visit poolbuildergeek.com.

Media contact

Travis Wingate

Skimmer, CMO, [email protected], 416-838-9161

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Landmark Aquatic Names Jason Hill Kansas City General Manager

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Jason Hill named Landmark Aquatic Kansas City General Manager

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Landmark Aquatic, a national leader in commercial aquatic construction and renovation, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jason Hill to General Manager of its Kansas City, Missouri market. Hill brings nearly two decades of commercial aquatic experience to the role, having worked his way through the industry as a laborer, plumber, project superintendent and project manager. That hands-on path through the trades gives him a perspective few general managers share.

“I truly understand the jobs of everyone here,” explains Hill. “It’s not just how they’re supposed to perform, I actually understand their day-to-day struggles, their desire for growth, and their need to have the best tools at their disposal to do their job efficiently.”

As he begins his tenure, Hill said mentorship and workforce development will be a top priority, particularly given how few professionals nationwide specialize in commercial pools.

“The commercial pool industry is such an anomaly,” he said. “As we grow our team, we are not likely to find commercial pool people waiting in our market to be hired, rather I am going to have to make commercial pool people. Training and coaching them is a big part of making that happen.” Hill’s emphasis on training echoes the company culture that earned Landmark a Top Workplace award, given in part for its investment in employee career development.

Hill is already collaborating closely with Landmark’s marketing team to grow the company’s visibility across the Kansas City market, contributing fresh ideas that are helping generate excitement. “I’m excited to compete with our other markets and see how far we can climb,” he said, noting his hometown ties add extra motivation.

With his depth of field experience and people-first approach, Hill is positioned to grow Landmark Aquatic’s presence and reputation throughout the region.

Jason can be reached at [email protected].

About Landmark Aquatic:

Landmark Aquatic is a nationwide provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance services, with more than six decades of industry experience. Serving clients across most of the U.S., Landmark delivers construction-led solutions and on-going support though its AquatiCare maintenance team, ensuring excellence “for the life of your pool.” Committed to the full lifecycle of every facility, Landmark prioritizes long-term partnerships while adapting to client needs through exceptional service, operational excellence, and forward-thinking solutions. For more about Landmark Aquatic visit www.landmarkaquatic.com.

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