Irish specialist pool installer Poolcourt has scooped the Pool of the Year award at the annual SPATA (Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association) and BISHTA (British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association) awards ceremony, held in early February during the Spatex pool and spa exhibition. The County Wexford-based company won Gold in the Commercial Pools category, and its commercial installation was judged the best overall entry.

The award-winning pool (pictured) was built in The Garryvoe Hotel, Ballycotton Bay, Castlemartyr, Co. Cork, and the ‘Pool of the Year’ award was accepted by Poolcourt’s Richard Bolger (pictured, centre).

Two companies, Sunderland-based Whitewaters and Surrey-based Tanby Swimming Pools, each carried off two awards, and in addition Tanby also jointly won the Dick Millward Trophy for Pool Contractor of the Year with Dorset company Cresta Leisure. The two companies will share the trophy for six months each.

Commenting on the 2012 Awards, the managing director of the BSPF (British Swimming Pool Federation, the pool and spa industry umbrella organisation) Chris Hayes said: “We congratulate all the winners of both the SPATA and BISHTA Awards this year. There was a significant number of entries, and this led to some stiff competition and a difficult job for the judges in determining who should receive what level of Award! It is always pleasing to see the high quality of the entries, and this will aid us in showcasing why it is important to work with our members.”

He continued: “It was also pleasing to see a number of new award recipients, as well as some companies that have won previously.  The publicity generated from the Awards will help to promote our industry to the end user, and this is vital to continue to generate business and turn customer dreams into reality.”

The list of Gold Award winners was as follows:

RESIDENTIAL OUTDOOR POOLS
Concrete Pools up to £60,000 (GBP 60,000): Gillingham Pools, Guernsey

Concrete Pools £60,000 and over: Tanby Swimming Pools, Warlingham, Surrey

Liner Pools up to £30,000: Cresta Leisure, Dorset

Liner Pools £30,000 and over: Oasis Pool Products, Sandwich, Kent

RESIDENTIAL INDOOR POOLS
Up to £75,000: Whitewaters, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear

Over £75,000 and up to £150,000: Fowler Swimming Pools, Cowfold, Sussex

Over £150,000: John Preston Pool & Spa Services, Preston, Lancashire

 

NON-TRADITIONAL POOL INSTALLATIONS
XL Pools, Nr Ashford, Kent

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS POOLS
David Hallam, Rotherham, Yorkshire

 

COMMERCIAL POOLS
Poolcourt, Co. Wexford, Ireland

REFURBISHMENT
Tanby Swimming Pools, Warlingham, Surrey

 

IN-GROUND DOMESTIC SPAS AND HEALTH POOLS
Whitewaters, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear

 

IN-GROUND COMMERCIAL SPAS AND HEALTH POOLS    
Alba/SB Pools, Brechin, Scotland

 

PETER GEEKIE AWARD FOR RETAIL EXCELLENCE
Wensum Pools, Fakenham, Norfolk

 

 

POOL SHOWROOM OF THE YEAR
Oyster Pools & Leisure, Raglan, Monmouthshire

 

 

PAUL KITE AWARD FOR ‘POOL STAR OF THE YEAR’
Kris German, Harris Pools & Leisure

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
Asher Swimpool Centre

 

 

INNOVATION AWARD
Cheshire Wellness

 

 

John Scott takes over SPATA presidency
In a departure from previous years, the new SPATA President John Scott (managing director of Engineered Pool Supplies, pictured) was also presented with his chain of office by BSPF managing director at the Gala Awards event. John takes over from Tony Wellsby, who had done an extra few months as president in order to bring the term of presidential office in sync with Spatex and the awards.