Pool and spa industry shines at awards

With the help of great weather, the elite of Canada’s pool and spa industry gathered on February 6 to acknowledge the best in swimming pool design and construction at the 2008 Art of Water Awards.

Pool market declines in '08

Preliminary statistics for residential pool building permits issued by Statistics Canada indicate a decrease of over six per cent in 2008 compared to 2007.

Code changes for pools & splash pads

The Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) 24th edition/2009, takes effect May 1 2009 and includes significant changes to Section 68—swimming pools, hot tubs and spas.

No smoking near Toronto water play areas

Smokers will no longer be welcome within 9 m (29 ft) of Toronto playgrounds, splash pads or wading pools. City council passed a bylaw banning smoking near water play areas for children this past January. Anyone caught smoking near a playground or children's water facility will be fined.

Permits for single family dwellings down

According to Statistics Canada, the value of permits for single family dwellings in Canada fell almost 11 per cent to $1.6 billion last December, their sixth consecutive monthly decline.