When you build pools, you’re sure to get all kinds of interesting clients — but Barrington Pools is likely to have you beat. The Illinois-based custom pool builder was invited to build a new pool at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. The clientele? Stingrays.
Opened in mid-May, the Stingray Touch pool is roughly 1,500 square feet and holds 18,000 gallons of water. The pool was designed with a 212-foot-deep edge to allow visitors to touch the 40 Cownose and Yellow rays that reside in the tank. Meanwhile, the center of the tank is deeper to give the rays a private place when in need of a break from their adoring fans.
Most builders live a whole lifetime never serving one water-breathing customer, but for Barrington Pools, fishy clients are a bit of a niche market — they did a similar project for the Brookfield Zoo in 2007.
“Our experience building specialty pools for aquariums as well as the quality and customer service that our commercial and residential customers have come to expect will make this a project that kids and families from across the United States will enjoy for years to come,” says Michael Murrillo, sales and PR director for Barrington Pools.
