When Graham Price, owner of Fraser Valley Pools in Langley, B.C., arrived at a recently purchased home for what seemed like a routine pool renovation consultation, he did not expect to learn about the project’s unusual backstory. The homeowner had found a buried swimming pool in the backyard—completely filled with dirt and forgotten underground.

Price, who typically focuses on vinyl liner replacements, had been referred by a previous client and could not resist taking on the unusual challenge.

“I was called in to give an estimate of what it would take to get the pool operational again and, of course, to upgrade it with new stairs, an automatic pool cover, and all the modern conveniences,” says Price. “I was skeptical at first, but once we sat down and discussed the project, they liked my ideas, and I was excited to uncover this hidden pool.”

Initial evaluation

By the time Price arrived to provide an estimate, the homeowner had already begun uncovering what lay beneath the backyard.

“When we arrived initially, I could see that the pool was a steel wall, traditional shaped pool and after reviewing the situation, we decided the pool structure was fine, even though we did need to re-skin the steel walls as corrosion and other damage caused from unearthing the pool.”

As the layers of dirt were cleared away, the scale of the project became clear. Price explained to the homeowner that they would need to build a new pump room, along with a complete overhaul of the plumbing, both around the pool and between the pool and pump room. Additionally, the pool walls and floor needed renovation along with modernizing the pool with steps, installing a new liner, adding an automatic pool cover and new decking.

“This was truly a full renovation job,” says Price.

Step by step renovation

The renovation required building a new pump room, replacing all the plumbing, and extensive sheet metal work to renovate the pool’s original steel walls. Price ordered sheet metal, cut each piece to size, and repaired the existing structure where needed.

“The pool walls were in pretty rough condition, so it actually took quite a bit of effort to get the pool walls back into shape,” says Price. “I had new sheet metal made and relined the interior.”

The steel walls were repurposed, cleaned, and reinforced, turning the job into an actual rescue of the pool’s original structure.

The pool itself measured 4.9 x 9.8 m (16 x 32 ft) and was approximately 2.4 m (8 ft) deep, and had “old-school” exterior plastic, white steps. After renovating the walls, Price suggested adding interior steps, which they placed in the shallow-end corner to improve accessibility, and modernized the pool’s esthetic.

After repairing the pool walls, the floor also needed to be patched, repaired, and resurfaced.

“The floor was concrete, but when the homeowner used a backhoe to dig out the dirt, it left some fairly deep gouges,” explains Price. “We resurfaced the entire floor with vermiculite to repair the damage and level everything out, extending the work to where the new stairs were added.”

With the structure restored and the foundation levelled, the pool was finally ready for its finishing touches. What had started as a buried relic was now taking shape as a fully modernized backyard feature.

Once the pool walls, stairs, and floor were fully renovated, the next step was to measure for a new liner. The homeowner was eager to choose a design and selected a classic round medallion tile border paired with a blue floor pattern. The custom-fit vinyl liner was installed, instantly transforming the pool with a fresh, modern look. Its deep blue tone caught the sunlight, making the water shimmer and bringing the long-hidden pool back to life.

The automatic pool cover

The real game-changer came with the addition of an automatic pool cover. The homeowners already understood the benefits—enhanced safety, reduced evaporation, and less time spent cleaning—and were eager to include one in the renovation. Price recommended a top-of-the-line system that could be operated with the push of a button. The cover glides smoothly across the water, creating a secure barrier for their young children and pets while also helping to retain heat and keep debris out.

Since this was a complete renovation, adding an automatic cover made perfect sense, particularly as the surrounding deck was being completely re-poured.

“The homeowner definitely wanted an automatic pool cover, which is becoming almost standard for all pools in our area,” says Price, who worked with a specialized subcontractor to complete the installation, ensuring the system was seamlessly integrated into the new design.

Allan Horwood, owner of Pool Patrol with locations in Vancouver and Kelowna, B.C., was pleased to collaborate with Fraser Valley Pools on the restoration of the hidden pool.

“It was great to be part of bringing this pool back to the surface and renovating it with an automatic pool cover,” says Horwood. “In our area, homeowners are accustomed to seeing automatic covers on nearly every pool, so it made sense that this homeowner wanted one for their newly unearthed pool.”

The convenience of being able to open and close the pool at the touch of a button continues to make automatic covers a sought-after feature, especially in Canada, where spring and fall weather is often unpredictable. With an automatic cover, homeowners can open their pools as soon as temperatures rise, extending their enjoyment earlier in the year.

In this part of Canada, the installation of automatic covers has grown rapidly in recent years, a trend Horwood attributes to both energy and water savings.

“Heated pools can lose up to 90 per cent of their heat through the top surface of the water,” he says. “No matter how much insulation you add beneath the pool, most of the heat escapes through evaporation and cooler air temperatures. Installing an automatic cover can reduce that heat loss by about 70 per cent, a savings homeowners will see immediately on their heating bills.”

In the case of this particular pool, installing the automatic pool cover came with an added challenge, the pool’s corners were not square but featured a larger radius.

“Typically, pools with square or near-square corners are best suited for automatic covers,” says Horwood. “But we used a system designed specifically for vinyl-liner pools, which allowed us to accommodate the larger radius corners without any issues.”

Price says that co-ordination between teams was key to keeping the project on schedule.

“Pool Patrol was great with communication and timed their pre-pour installation of the auto cover box perfectly with the rest of our renovation,” he says. “After their portion was complete, we handled the backfilling, compaction, concrete work, and liner installation. Once the pool was filled, Allan and his team returned to finish installing the automatic cover.”

Horwood adds that his team provides pool professionals with a detailed checklist outlining each step of the process to ensure smooth co-ordination and clear expectations throughout the installation.

The homeowner chose a dark grey fabric for the automatic cover, giving the pool a sleek, contemporary appearance.

“The cover looks fantastic, and the homeowner is very pleased,” he says.

With the automatic cover installed and final details complete, the transformation was nearly finished. What began as a buried relic had become a fully restored, modern backyard centrepiece, complete with a sleek new deck, custom liner, and innovative automatic pool cover technology designed for convenience and safety. The collaboration between Fraser Valley Pools and Pool Patrol ensured every element came together seamlessly, from the structure and systems to the finishing touches.

The grand reveal: Backyard oasis complete

After working on the pool and backyard throughout the summer, the homeowner completed the landscaping and added a beautiful deck over the initial concrete base. What was once a buried pool beneath an overgrown lawn is now a stunning backyard oasis featuring every modern convenience. The new deck provides a perfect frame, while the automatic cover adds both safety and sophistication.

The project became more than a renovation; it was a revival. A forgotten feature of the property was brought back to life through craftsmanship, creativity, and collaboration. The success of this transformation stands as a testament to the expertise of Fraser Valley Pools and Pool Patrol. It is proof that with the right vision and skill, even a long-lost treasure can be brought back to the surface, more beautiful and functional than ever before.

The story of this rediscovered pool is a reminder of how modern innovation can enhance classic design, creating something truly special. Once a buried secret, this hidden gem will now be the centrepiece of countless happy memories for years to come.

Author

Rick Larson is the western regional sales manager for Automatic Pool Covers Inc., of Westfield, Ind. He has more than 20 years of experience in the pool and spa industry and is based in Colorado. He can be reached at rlarson@apc-mfg.com.