About Us - A Special Builder for a Special Place
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Valley Pools has been a landmark in the Okanagan Valley since 1972. Co-owners Gene Brown and Sonya Brown Peitsch grew up in the business, and took over operations from their parents in 2001. Gene is responsible for construction and design while Sonya manages the retail operations.
In the early days, Valley Pools did extensive work with vinyl liner pools. Now their primary focus is on high-precision, cutting-edge concrete pool designs with special emphasis on vanishing edge and perimeter overflow pools. Serving both residential and commercial clients, Valley Pools continues to be the preferred builder that homeowners and architects turn to for challenging projects.
For the utmost in accuracy, Gene uses the unique "cast-in-place" method of pool construction. Similar to the technology used to build modern skyscrapers, the cast-in-place method requires on-site fabrication of custom forms. These forms are filled with concrete and then agitated to remove all voids. Unlike the more common "shotcrete" and "gunite" processes, the cast-in-place method produces tolerances across a fifty foot run within a scant few hundredths of an inch.
The cold-weather extremes of Canada pose special challenges for pool construction. To keep these pools functional year-round, the pool walls are often constructed as much as two feet thick. The plumbing systems also require special attention in the area of insulation. Geo-thermal heating is a popular choice for heating these pools effectively throughout the sub-zero winters.
Valley Pools works in partnership with Skip Phillips on many of their British Columbia projects. Gene receives high praise from Skip Phillips: "The challenge of implementing our designs is the talent and expertise of the people who put them together. There's often an intellectual gap between the designer and the construction team. That's why I'm so happy to work with someone like Gene. Few other builders on the planet can match Gene's talent for accurate construction."
In 2008, Valley Pools received an "International Gold Award" for a pool built in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. In 2009, Valley Pools received an "Art of Water" award from the Canadian magazine Pool, Spa and Patio.
Valley Pools is a member of the Association of Pool And Spa Professionals (APSP) and SIMA, a Canadian Association that focuses on serving the leisure needs of homeowners all across Canada. Valley Pools is also a member of Carecraft, a consortium of pool & spa designers, builders, and retailers who have joined together to form a nationwide member-owned association. Only select industry professionals are invited to join, and all must pass rigorous standards of quality control, reputation, and customer relations.
Valley Pools is proud to be the official San Juan Pools dealer for the Okanogan Valley. San Juan pools is the originator of the fiberglass pool, and now carries more sizes. shapes and colors than any other fiberglass pool builder in the world.
But Valley Pools goes a step further, making sure that every fiberglass pool installation is properly surveyed and engineered before any construction or excavation begins. More than one homeowner in Kelowna has been burned by "low-cost" fiberglass installers who skipped this step, and created a serious problem for the home. You won't have that problem with Valley Pools.
Valley Pools is a long-standing member of the Kelowna Chamber Of Commerce
The Genesis 3 Design Group is a major international force in the pool and water shape industry. Inspired and founded by pool designers David Tisherman, Skip Phillips and Brian Van Bower, Genesis 3 is committed to raising the standards in the pool construction industry through continuing education.
Genesis 3 has a series of themed educational schools featuring international experts in various design and construction fields. Programs include professional training, specialized international tours, recommended reading and other practical applications.
The highest level of certification available through Genesis 3 is “Platinum Level.” Gene Brown of Valley Pools achieved Platinum in 2008. Now one of only 28 such builders in the world, Gene is the only Platinum level genesis 3 designer in Canada.
For more information on Genesis 3 and the Platinum Design program, go to www.genesis3.com/members.htm
APSP – “The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals”
All members of The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals agree to observe and be dedicated to the following principles and policies:
- To promote the concepts of free enterprise and service to the public and the industry.
- To strive continually to gain respect for the industry, both in the local community and on the regional and national levels.
- To contribute to the health, safety and welfare of the public in the installation, maintenance and operation of swimming pools, spas and hot tubs, and to comply with applicable laws, ordinances and regulations.
- To support efforts to improve swimming pool, spa and hot tub products and services, and to encourage research and development of new materials, techniques and methods.
- To avoid statements which will mislead customers in advertising and other efforts to sell products.
- Carecraft is composed of pool/spa designers, builders, and accessory & supply retailers across the United States who have joined together to form a nationwide member-owned association.
- Only select industry professionals are invited to join, and all must pass rigorous standards of quality control, reputation, and customer relations, in addition to customer concern of each company.
- Carecraft was created for consumers to ensure the highest quality in all aspects of pool design & construction.
- “When you invest in a Carecraft member company, you are assured of the finest equipment and experienced workmanship, all at a price that is tailored to your budget and lifestyle.”
More information at: CARECRAFT
Caldera is one of the world's most trusted spa brands. They are committed to providing the industry's highest-quality hot tubs and dedicated customer service. Caldera craftsmen give meticulous attention to each spa's form, function, fit and finish. With such a high level of engineering and construction, they can provide the exceptional ComfortGuard™ limited warranty — one of the hot tub industry's best. They are “Green Friendly.” So when you decide to own a Caldera spa, it will be a totally comfortable choice. More information at: Calderaspas
The Mission of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is to foster a positive business environment by providing members with Leadership, Advocacy and Services of Value. They are a co-op of businesses and individuals working together to advance the civic, economic, cultural and social betterment and interests of the local people. More information at: Kelowna chamber of Commerce
