Pool Patrol waiving labour fees to get your pool ready right now

The weather is starting to warm up, the kids are at home for an unknown period, and companies are trying to do whatever they can to keep the economy moving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pool Patrol, the Okanagan’s locally owned and operated automatic pool safety covers, is doing what they can by offering free labour on all new swimming pool cover sales, replacement fabrics or fencing. It is their way of giving back and helping their community during these challenging times.

Considering the dynamic nature of this situation, Pool Patrol will offer this service as long as possible in an effort to aid their community. Until further notice, they will be offering this free labour until May 31, 2020.

“It’s our way of saying to the Okanagan that we’re investing in our community,” Pool Patrol owner Allan Horwood says. “And, as a community, this is when we need to come together the most. We want your kids to be safe, and we want everybody to enjoy their backyards. Self-isolation is pushing everybody into their backyards early. They’re not leaving their property.”

Horwood was inspired to do something for his community after Elephant Island Winery, which is near his home, started selling its wine for 30% off the retail price. He knows the margins are slim in the wine industry, so he saw no reason why he couldn’t give his customers a break, too.

“We need to keep the commerce wheels grinding away,” Horwood says.

Pool Patrol is one of the lucky companies that can keep their business running with minimal human contact. Their workers are always outside at the pool, and all payments are electronic. And, it goes without saying, they are fiercely following Canada’s health and safety regulations.

So even though those chilly early spring mornings would usually convince you otherwise, heating the pool up and getting the kids outside sooner than later might sound appealing. And given summer vacation—for unfortunate and unprecedented reasons—came early, Pool Patrol is doing what they can to get you in the pool safely.

“Kids are driving you crazy. They’re tired of the trampoline. It’s 14 degrees here in Naramata,” Horwood says. “We’re saying: Hey, why don’t we fire up the pool and try to keep the kids entertained?

“We have to look at this as an extended summer and treat it accordingly.”

Of course, the youngsters can’t cannonball into the pool without parent supervision, which is why Pool Patrol has included safety fencing as part of its free-labour initiative. Fencing is additionally important this year because your children will be outside and around the pool significantly more for the foreseeable future.

“The health and safety and well-being of your family are most important to us,” Horwood says, “and if you have any concerns about your pool not being safe, we’re here to help.”

The durable reinforced vinyl of a pool cover also acts as a horizontal fence, sealing off the pool and preventing accidental entry by children, pets and uninvited guests. The automated pool safety covers are made of reinforced vinyl that is strong enough for adults to walk across.

The covers provide not only safety but savings as well through heat retention—especially needed in early spring—and less chemical use that extends the life of the equipment.