Standard-Examiner correspondent?

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n the pool and spa business, the latest buzz isn’t about the newest products, but about how much money can be saved.?

“The thing that we see the most in demand right now is cost effectiveness. That means energy efficient hot tubs and a way to spend less money on chemically treating them,” said John Brady of Leisure Pool and Spa. “Pools have gone green.”?”The spa consumer is much more aware of energy and customization options than in years past,” said Shawn Maynard, co-owner of Bullfrog Spas of North Ogden and Layton.?

Keeping family?fun at home?

The family-oriented atmosphere of the state is translating into continuous sales, even in a recession, local salesman are saying.?”A pool is a great place to spend quality family time,” said Dave Shippen, owner and president of Crystal Pools based in Pleasant View. “It’s there when you get home from work after a long hard day and you can sit and relax with your spouse. You’ll know where your kids are and who their friends are because they will be at your house swimming.”?”More than half of our customers are young families looking for a better way to connect. A hot tub is a good way to gather the family together,” Maynard said. “Customers are looking for large spas to accommodate the entire family and paying a little more for a spa that will last for a long time.”?And with more families opting for stay-cations, pools and spas are the perfect at-home escape.?”Because of time and money, lots of people are staying home having fun in their pool instead of trips to the lake with their boats and RVs,” Shippen said.?”We live in a great climate for pools and spas,” Brady said. “It’s family fun vacation year-round. A pool or spa is often less expensive than purchasing a new boat or truck, and it lasts longer.”?

Finding the?best options?

The recession is changing the way people shop for big ticket items, Maynard said, so they are doing more research and shopping around.?”With money tight, you might think that the cheaper spas would be in higher demand, but exactly the opposite seems to be true,” Maynard said. “Shoppers aren’t willing to buy a disposable spa. They expect it to last, and operate efficiently.”?”I think people are beginning to feel more secure about the economy and willing to spend the money on the things that they want,” said Kasey LaRose, retail manager for Sunplay Pools and Spas. At Sunplay, awarded Caldera Spas dealer of the year 2009 nationwide, there are many recently released Caldera spa options in the $5,000 to $6,000 price range. “Now, more than ever, our customers seem to be looking for a great spa for the best bargain.”?Brady encourages those considering a pool or spa purchase to do their homework by visiting spasearch.org, where consumer opinions are posted.?Maynard says Bullfrog Spas, recently featured in Pool and Spa Magazine as an example of how to succeed in a tough economy, offers many options to change the jetting configurations called paks as needs change.?”Today the most important feature might be the waterfall for the kids,” Maynard said. “But as they grow, it’s nice to know they can trade in the waterfall pak for a pak that focuses on the lower back.”?At Crystal Pools, customers can choose between four different manufacturers of fiberglass pools as well as gunite pools and waterfalls. After 10 years in business, Crystal Pools knows what it takes to make a backyard like those found in dreams, including landscaping, putting greens, patios, basketball courts, fire pits, rock walls, fencing, playground equipment and sheds.?After 32 years of business, Leisure Pool and Spa has seen a lot of changes, Brady said. ?”For example, a spa used to ship to me with nothing but the shell and I would have to drill the four or five jet holes and build the cabinet for the customers,” Brady said. “Now tubs come with over 115 jets, five pumps, LED lights, stereo systems, ozonators — the list goes on and on. The pool side is the same way. The pools I build today I could only dream about 15 years ago.”?

Get a workout?with swimspas?

Swimspas are a very hot item that customers express interest in, Shippen and Brady said.?”They are small and compact and will fit into most backyards,” Shippen said. “People love them and the fact that they can get a great low impact workout.”?However, the cost of the swimspa — as much as $35,000 — often leads customers to purchase other products, Maynard said. For the same price, a customer can buy a full-sized pool.?”Most people that seriously consider a swimspa will instead opt for a traditional pool and a separate hot tub,” Maynard said. ?Local salesmen don’t expect pool and spa sales to dip in coming months and years, because the Top of Utah is the perfect place for their products.?”For most people, winter is the best time to enjoy their hot tub,” Maynard said. “We are fortunate to live in a state with so many opportunities for recreation. So many of our customers say they enjoy their spa after a day of skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, motorcycle riding, hunting and the list goes on and on.”?”The best part of being in the pool and spa business is to see the joy that people get after they have turned their plain and ordinary backyard into a little piece of paradise in their own backyard,” Shippen said.