Aquapoolco Pool & Spa - Kansas City, Missouri

Winner of 1999 AQUA Choice Award in Above-Ground Pools Category

Place: 1
Year: 1999
Category:
Above-Ground Pools

Location: Kansas City, Mo.
Completion date: August 1999
General shape: Round
Type of construction: Vinyl-liner
Diameter: 18 feet
Capacity: 6,690 gallons
Depth: 4 feet
Deck material: Wood
Price of pool and equipment: $3,200
Total price of installation, including decking and landscaping: $28,500

Designed to replicate a shipwrecked paradise the likes of Gilligan s Island, this backyard oasis incorporates a spa moved from a previous residence, a pergola-covered U-shaped bar, a fire pit with wrap-around benches that double as storage space and -- of course -- a swimming pool.

Nautical relics and tropical artifacts decorate the scene. Carved tikis with glowing eyes mark the entrance to the spa. Barge rope replaces handrailing, and plants are suspended from anchor chain.

From a technical standpoint, heavy storm water runoff ruled out deep excavation on the property, and an overhead power line dissecting the yard on a diagonal limited how large the body of water could be. The 18-foot, round above-ground pool set flush in the multilevel deck fits the bill.