Ontario pool companies now taking orders for next summer as pandemic drags on
As families stayed close to home last summer it led to a surge in swimming pool sale, a trend that's continued into this year as well.
Gaetan Hachey of Milton, Ontario ordered his in-ground pool in July of 2020 and it was finally installed. He is waiting to have some landscaping done and hopes his family will be able to swim in it within the next two weeks.
“I’m extremely excited, but it doesn't match the excitement of my spouse and my children. They are counting down the days until it’s finished" said Hachey.
The pool industry has enjoyed massive sales as many people stayed close to home and self isolated during the pandemic.
Frank Blanchet owner of Betz Pools of Stouffville, Ont. said the sale of swimming pools usually slows down in the winter, but this year it didn't.
“We generally never sell out for a year [in advance] but this year we are sold out and we are selling in 2022 now" said Blanchet.
Many pool companies are scrambling to keep up with orders and some parts and chemicals are on back order and in short supply.
Blanchet said it’s been good for the pool industry but frustrating for customers.
‘We are running out of materials for pools and for landscaping. We need patience on everybody's end to try and get through this" said Blanchet.
Harry Martyniuk with Pioneer Family Pools said his company is working non-stop to fulfill pool orders and added "we are tracking for a 80 to 100 per cent increase over last year, and last year was a record year."
Some in the pool industry feel sales could be strong for several more years as many people who have saved money on their travel budgets are willing to channel that money into home improvements.
“People are spending more on their backyard environment and are willing to spend more money investing in their backyards" said Martyniuk.
That includes the Hacheys who used to spend their summers traveling, but when the pandemic hit they decided to invest in a pool instead.
“We saw quickly we would be spending more time at home and less traveling so we thought we needed to do something as soon as possible" said Hachey.
While you may have to wait a year to get an in-ground or above ground pool, smaller wading and inflatable pools are still available online, but only while supplies last and some are already selling out.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
BREAKING Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.