A basketball jig was also installed at the front of the sun shelf. This allows the kids to shoot hoops more easily than in the deeper middle section of the pool. When the basketball net is removed, the anchor can also hold a removable table. The co-ordinating grey table provides a great spot to place drinks, books, sunglasses, and toys. It can also accommodate a shade umbrella.
The sun shelf is a popular design element for gunite and vinyl-liner pool construction. Many pool owners love them because it provides an area for small children to play, as well as a place for adults to socialize or sunbathe. The water depth on sun shelves is typically 152 to 457 mm (6 to 18 in.) with the average being 254- to 305-mm (10- to 12-in.) deep. Until recently, there have been very few items in the industry for builders to up-sell with respect to this popular feature, other than a plastic umbrella anchor or a lounge chair. However, an increasing number of builders are discovering that anchors installed into the sun shelf allow for the sale of additional products, such as tables and sports games.
The shallow middle
The middle or middle-shallow section of the pool is often the perfect place to install a ‘bench’ to create a conversation station. For this project, the homeowner elected to have a simple, singular bench for sitting in slightly deeper water. Today, however, some builders are getting into the upgrade game by adding three anchors next to these bench areas inside vinyl and gunite pools. Setting the table anchor approximately 457 to 559 mm (18 to 22 in.) from the bench with two swim-up bar seats on the other side of the table (in a triangle formation) will create another entertainment area. The table and seat combination is capable of holding an umbrella, while also providing a place to set drinks, allowing more friends and family to join the conversation. These table and seat accessories are available in a variety of colours to harmonize with almost any environment.
This homeowner’s pool is only 4 x 7.6 m (13 x 25 ft) which, unfortunately, did not provide enough space to create the additional entertainment hubs the same way a 6- x 12-m (20- x 40-ft) or larger pool would.
The middle
A basketball and volleyball set can be an action packed addition to any pool. Sporting accessories are typically installed in the middle section of the pool, in about 1.2 to 1.5 m (4 to 5 ft) of water, allowing teens and adults to play easily. Sports pools are also an excellent upgrade opportunity for builders performing a new install or renovation project.
For this homeowner’s pool, Pitezel colour co-ordinated the legs of the basketball and volleyball set to match the designer handrail, which correlates with the pool’s tile border.
A builder can design or renovate almost any pool to include sporting accessories by simply adding two anchors: one for the basketball net, and another (on the other side of the pool) to receive the second anchor for the volleyball net. The nice thing about sports anchors is when the family is finished playing in the pool, the basketball/volleyball equipment can be removed and stored, and anchor caps can be put in place to give the pool a clean look.
The deep end
The pool’s deep end is obviously the best ‘zone’ for slides, diving boards, or perhaps a grotto and water feature. Pool slides built into the landscape best mimic those found at a waterpark, while water feature grottos are also ideal when creating an entertainment centre in the deep end. These types of features help give a pool visual balance.
