Asheville – Ivan Shingleton, manager of the Asheville office, has been with Hot Springs Pools & Spas for 21 years but says, “We’ve been in business for 35.” Mechanically inclined, he started work as a hot tub technician. It didn’t take him long to realize that, “This is a fun business because getting a pool is an exciting part of people’s lives. People are generally in a great mood. It’s a fun job to begin with, and it really makes a lot of people happy.”
It’s 87oF outside, and looking through Hot Springs’ gallery of pools is doing just that. Shingleton said most of the really amazing design-build pools are down in Greenville, but that doesn’t stop the company from building in WNC. In the mountains, even large yards “fall off quickly,” so there are a lot of constraints on what can be done. Shingleton has, however, worked on some nice pools in the area. A few beachfront designs came to mind.
Hot Springs’ website talks about developing pool solutions that conform to the landscape. This could involve “terracing pools that mimic natural waterfalls” or “designing split-level gardens that complement the pool area.” Good designs enhance a site’s natural features.
Some of Hot Springs’ more interesting designs that work on the slopes are the infinity edge pools. They’re built with retaining walls on the downslope and filled to the brim and overflowing to create a laminar cascade and a sea-meets-sky illusion. The water is collected in a moat and elegantly pumped back to the filter. Infinity pools add a touch of luxury to waterfront property, seemingly flowing into the lake below.
“People with more modern homes will likely want something with a modern design,” said Shingleton. Stone framing is definitely in, along with steps, islands, water features, night lighting, firepits, and stone furniture.
Shingleton said customers can ask for a classic 18’ x 36’ rectangular pool, or even a single-lane, Olympic-length pool that only takes a 4′ strip out of the yard. Whatever the project, they can do it.
Unfortunately, the glories of summer are about to fade. This time of year, with kids going back to school and part-time residents heading to their other homes, people are starting to call Hot Springs to close down their pools. They trust professionals to open and shut the right valves in the right order and prepare their pools for the coming winter.
In addition to building pools, Hot Springs repairs and maintains them. They also post a lot of friendly tips for DIY pool maintenance on their blog. It goes back to their slogan, “We treat each customer like they’re our last.”
Hot Springs’ website links to an article about why it makes good sense to build a pool in the winter. Reasons include lower prices, available labor, and less vegetative mess. Still, Shingleton says the business is pretty much seasonally divided into pools in summer and hot tubs in winter. “Hot tubs are our bread and butter,” said Shingleton, and hot tub season is around the corner.
Most of Hot Springs’ hot tubs are made by the world’s largest manufacturer, Watkins. Models include Hot Springs and Caldera. Customers can choose from over 50 spas and pool fitness systems, with some models advertised as “salt compatible.” Some people find soaking in saltwater to be a soothing experience, as water chlorinated by salt can feel gentler on their skin.
Watkins recently acquired Endless Pools. “Endless pools have risen in popularity over the last three years.” They’re the treadmill of pools, where water flows to keep somebody swimming in place. “These are easy, turnkey solutions for bigger families that enjoy water but don’t have space for a pool.” Shingleton said they come in “all types,” from pools for floating and playing, to some that can deliver easy workouts, to “some really serious models” for competitive training. Some come with underwater bicycles and other exercise equipment.
Shingleton said Hot Springs will soon be adding cold plunges to their catalog. These are the ice baths used by professional endurance athletes to control inflammation and soreness.
Hot Springs is a family-owned business with offices in Greenville, Arden, and Franklin. It was founded by Tom Riggs, and upon his passing, “seamlessly” continued operations under his wife Marilyn and sons Matt and Jim, with grandsons Jake and Zach joining later. To date, they have installed over 5,000 residential and commercial pools and solved over 10,000 maintenance problems. The Asheville office is at 221 Airport Road in Arden.