With travel restricted and beaches and public pools closed, local pool companies are seeing a huge spike in sales as the weather heats up.
Dynasty Pools & Spas owner Buffy Baker compares the surge in pool sales to overrun grocery stores during the first few weeks of the pandemic.
“It’s the same idea with the pool industry. People want to make sure they get their shock, never mind the toilet paper,” she said with a laugh.
Dynasty Pools & Spas typically sells 10-20 above-ground pools by this time each year. So far, through the pandemic, they have sold about 45, clearing out their stock.
The Dunedin Street business has seen line ups all the way down Powley Street, she said, adding customers are eager to get the products needed in order to open their pools.
“Now, we are talking filters, pumps, liners ... it’s not just the pools themselves, but everything that goes with it,” Baker explained.
The phone rings constantly and there is rarely a slow period where customers aren’t lined up out the door, she said.
“I’ve had four chemical shipments already, so things are still pretty gung-ho. I’m exhausted,” she said.
Luckily for Baker and her customers, Dynasty Pool & Spas purchased their above-ground pools before the lockdown, back in the fall, leaving them well stocked.
But now they are finding themselves playing catch-up. Baker said she hopes to receive another shipment of above-ground pools in the near future.
Orillia Pools Design Builders is also seeing a surge in customers at their West Street North location that is open seven days a week.
While sales are up for most of the industry, owner Gwen Carruthers recalls a time not long ago when she feared for her business.
“During the middle of March, we were running day by day, waiting for a government announcement on when we could resume doing work,” she explained.
The Ontario pool industry was put on hold for new in-ground pool builds until May 19, putting them well behind schedule.
“We are definitely behind on builds, and our liner and steel manufactures were shut down for a while, so we are still trying to get products,” Carruthers said.
As for above-ground pools, Orillia Pools Design Builders are running out of stock and so are suppliers, all while the demand for products is at an all-time high.
“It’s been really crazy since the May long weekend, everyone wants above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and even hot tubs,” Carruthers said.
Orillia Pools Design Builders have seen lineups out their doors, serving close to 100 customers a day. At one point they racked up 86 messages from customers inquiring about their products.
“It just doesn’t stop. It’s absolutely insane and we are just trying to keep up,” Carruthers said.
While the company and industry has been thriving over the past few weeks, Carruthers is still worried about another possible shut down implemented by the provincial government if COVID-19 cases jump.
“If the government shuts things down, we are back to square one again,” she lamented.
