The Aquatic Perspective

Ep. 29 Commercial pool design and construction work better when designers and contractors start talking before the project goes out to bid. Phil Collins and Robert Morgan welcome Justin Caron of Aquatic Design Group to discuss what experienced contractors can bring to the design process and why building the same pool in different parts of the country isn't always straightforward. Justin explains h...

Ep. 28 Some of the hardest lessons in commercial pool construction come from projects that go wrong despite the team's best efforts. Phil Collins and Robert Morgan revisit 10 difficult experiences involving construction deadlines, unexpected site conditions, equipment failures, manufacturer support, and complicated project decisions. Their stories show how those experiences have influenced the wor...

Ep. 27 Highly customized residential water parks can quickly outgrow the plans, contracts, payment structures, and operating expectations established at the start of the project. Building an ambitious private aquatic facility requires more than the budget to construct it; scope, responsibilities, payment terms, code considerations, and long-term maintenance all need to be addressed early.

Ep. 26 An existing pool does not always have to be torn out to become a new facility. Phil, Robert, and the Myrtha Pools team discuss how modular construction can adapt to renovations, temporary venues, and high-level competition facilities. The conversation starts with Myrtha’s approach to working with contractors and designers, then moves into its “pool within a pool” renovation system, which ca...

Ep. 25 A Myrtha pool changes more than the material used to build the pool. It changes how owners, designers, contractors, and manufacturers have to think about the project from design through long-term operation. Phil Collins and Robert Morgan sit down with three members of the Myrtha Pools team to discuss modular pool construction, how the system has grown in North America, and what owners shoul...

Ep. 24 No one sees every side of a commercial aquatic facility. Phil Collins and Robert Morgan have decades of experience in commercial pool construction, but they are the first to admit there are parts of the industry they have never worked in firsthand. Operators, aquatic designers, engineers, manufacturers, and facility teams all see problems from a different angle. That is why The Aquatic Pers...

Ep. 23 Most people hear “pool company” and picture someone building backyard pools. Commercial pools are a different business. In this episode, Phil Collins and Robert Morgan talk through what a commercial pool contractor actually does, from estimating and construction to the equipment and systems that keep a facility running.

A commercial pool bid is more than the number at the bottom. Phil Collins and Robert Morgan explain what estimators should look for before awarding the work. The difference often hides in everyday items such as excavation, backfill, void forms, deck mastic, and plumbing connections. One contractor may leave the work out. Another may include something already covered by a different trade. Either wa...

“By others” can expose costly scope gaps in a commercial pool bid. Phil Collins and Robert Morgan explain what the term means and why the lowest number does not always provide the best value. What you will learn: How exclusions help identify missing scope Why electrical work is typically handled by others When fencing, signage, landscaping, and startup service are included A clear exclusion list i...

The manual nobody reads can become a serious problem once a commercial pool opens. Hosts Phil Collins and Robert Morgan explain how better training, stronger handoffs, and sound shutdown decisions protect guests, operators, and equipment. What you will learn: Why O&M manuals and one-time training often fail When cloudy water, loose lights, and missing drain covers require action How VFDs and c...

Mistakes in commercial pool construction and service get expensive fast. In this episode, Phil Collins and Robert Morgan look at what went wrong during Sunbelt Pools' summer and what those failures are changing. Instead of hiding the problems, they break down the lessons behind service issues, project mistakes, customer communication, preparation, and leadership. What you will learn: Why better pr...

Commercial aquatic projects are moving forward, but old budgets are creating real problems. Phil Collins and Robert Morgan break down what they're seeing across the aquatic industry after meeting with contractors, engineers, and manufacturers from around the country. They discuss where the work is headed, why collaboration between competitors matters, and why yesterday's construction numbers can't...

Why do some commercial pool builders self-perform so much of their work? In this episode of The Aquatic Perspective, Phil Collins and Robert Morgan explain why keeping critical work in-house leads to better quality, stronger accountability, and more consistent project outcomes. What you'll learn: Why cross-trained crews improve project quality. When subcontractors add value—and when they create ri...

August is when most commercial aquatic facilities discover what held up—and what didn't. In this episode, Phil Collins and Robert Morgan discuss why the end of swim season is the best time to prepare for next year instead of reacting to emergencies. What you'll learn: How to evaluate your facility before the season ends. Why planning in August prevents costly delays next spring. What owners should...

Commercial pool automation can improve water quality, but it won't replace good operations. In this episode, Phil Collins and Robert Morgan discuss what actually matters when selecting chemical controllers, monitoring water chemistry, and building a reliable mechanical room. What you'll learn: Why controller quality matters more than automation alone Free chlorine sensors vs. ORP monitoring How re...

Customer service isn't about fixing problems after they happen. In this episode, Phil Collins and Robert Morgan discuss why the best commercial aquatic companies earn trust long before something goes wrong. What you'll learn: Why customer service starts before the customer calls. How "going above and beyond" creates long-term relationships. Why trust is earned through consistency, not promises. Wh...

A major NSF 50 certification change is coming, and many commercial aquatic professionals don't yet understand how it will affect future projects. In this episode, Phil Collins, Robert Morgan, and Brian Randisi of Neptune Benson explain what is changing, what isn't, and why the industry needs to prepare now. What you'll learn: How the NSF 50 filtration standard is changing Why existing filter perfo...

Employee ownership changes more than company structure-it changes how decisions are made. In this episode, Phil Collins and Robert Morgan explain how Sunbelt Pools approaches leadership, accountability, quality, and long-term thinking. You'll learn: Why employee ownership changes day-to-day decisions How field teams balance authority with accountability Why fixing problems early protects clients,...

Many commercial pools reach a point where repairs are no longer the smartest investment. In this episode, Phil Collins and Robert Morgan discuss how facility owners can determine whether a pool should be renovated, repurposed, or completely replaced. What You'll Learn: How to evaluate structural integrity before investing in upgrades When renovation costs outweigh replacement costs Why outdated po...

A successful Memorial Day opening doesn't happen by accident. Phil Collins and Robert Morgan discuss the steps operators can take to keep commercial aquatic facilities running smoothly throughout the busy summer season.  What you'll learn:  How to stress test pool systems during peak season  What equipment issues commonly appear after startup  How to reduce downtime and operational disruptions  Fr...

What happens to a commercial pool company when ownership changes?  In this episode, Phil Collins sits down with Sunbelt Pools founder Rob Morgan to discuss private equity, employee ownership, company culture, and what these changes mean for aquatic facility owners.  What you'll learn:  How ownership structure affects project quality and customer service  Why institutional knowledge matters in comm...

Choosing the wrong commercial pool contractor can create years of costly problems. In this episode, Phil Collins and Rob Morgan share real-world lessons from more than 40 years in the aquatic industry. Whether you're planning a new aquatic facility or evaluating contractors for a renovation, these lessons can help you avoid expensive mistakes.

Drew and Brian from Splashtacular join The Aquatic Perspective to talk about the realities of commercial water slide construction, project management, and long-term facility success. From field experience to owner expectations, this episode breaks down what actually matters once a project leaves the drawings and hits the jobsite.  What You Will Learn  How water slide projects are managed  Why rela...

Brian Faulkner and Drew Ford from Splashtacular break down what really happens before a commercial aquatic project ever reaches construction. From early concept meetings to market insight and ride design, this episode covers the decisions that shape successful facilities. If you work in commercial aquatics, design, construction, or operations, this episode gives practical insight from teams buildi...

Stop guessing and start building with precision. Join Phil Collins and Robert Morgan as they break down the dangerous myths of commercial pool estimating and why the "price per square foot" model leads to catastrophic budget failures.   What you will learn:  Why location and pool type (Lazy River vs. Competition) drastically shift costs.   How filtration turnover rates impact your equipment room b...