As a swimming pool consultant, I have the pleasure of inspecting, auditing, and renovating an abundance of existing swimming pools each and every year. It seems to be that a majority of the older pools I encounter are some variation of a 6-lane, 25-yard lap pool with potentially, if they are lucky, 1-meter diving at the deep end. Functionally, there is nothing wrong with these types of pools. They are great for swim lessons, an occasional swim meet, or for simply cooling off on a hot summer day. What these pools are lacking, in my opinion, is something that will keep users coming back day after day. These pools need some excitement! 
What exactly can you do to pump up the thrill factor in your pool? Well, one of the simplest ways is to install new pool features. With today’s technology, it is not necessary to build a new pool in order to capture the excitement you are looking for. In fact, it is not even necessary to endure a prolonged shutdown. Pool feature manufacturers have been making leaps and bounds in terms of minimally evasive features that can be added to an existing pool. In some cases, minor pool deck or pool floor anchors will need to be added, however, many of the newer generation features can utilize existing pool anchors or even no anchors at all.
With a vast array of pool features on the market, you, as the Owner, will need to determine which features will suit the needs of the facility, the management personnel, as well as the patrons who will be using them. Some of the most popular new features that I have
come across include climbing walls, miniature zip-lines, and monkey ropes. If you are more a fan of the classic competition games, water basketball or water volleyball are always an excellent choice. One of the most challenging features that has recently emerged is the log rolling activity which imitates a log floating on the water surface. The goal is to balance on the log while it rolls back and forth and ultimately outlast your opponent who is positioned on the other end of the log. Each feature, however, should be thoroughly vetted prior to purchase with consideration given to maintenance staff, life-guarding staff, and age group offerings.
Gone are the days that a standard lap pool will suffice as the sole aquatic offering for a community. While great for lap swimmers, many of the patrons are looking for a little something more. Adding a mix of pool features that will appeal to an array of age groups is a surefire way to add some spice to your existing pool.
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