Meet The Pool Builders
Jubilee Pools & Landscapes is a family-owned and -operated pool building and renovation company established by Andrew and Catherine McCracken. With more than 30 years of experience in the pool building industry, the husband-and-wife duo lead a talented, forward-thinking team of dedicated professionals.
Since its inception, the company has designed, renovated and constructed innumerable award-winning pools throughout Western Australia. “We pride ourselves on being versatile and determined to complete every job to our clients’ satisfaction,” explains Catherine. “At Jubilee Pools & Landscapes, you’re never just a number. We are with you every step of the way during your project.”
The company’s singular focus on customer satisfaction has earned it a solid reputation for
excellence in both the residential and commercial markets. Catherine says the business’ success is largely due to its unique understanding of people’s relationship with their pool. “We appreciate that for most of our clients, their pool is their second-biggest investment,” she says. “[That’s why] we use only the highest-quality products from reputable local suppliers, which come with a full warranty, technical support and back-up service if need be.”
Jubilee Pools & Landscapes is a certified member of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) and the Swimming Pool and Spa Association (SPASA). The company’s status as a registered pool builder with HIA and SPASA reassures clients that their project is in trusted, reputable hands. Catherine explains Code of Ethics, “[which ensures] all [our]
products and services are delivered as advertised, with competence, fairness, value, honesty and integrity”.
When asked what she finds compelling about pool design and construction, Catherine says the industry is rewarding in more ways than one. “The industry is a playground for our imagination and the reward [for creativity] is extremely high,” she says. “[However], the biggest reward for Jubilee Pools & Landscapes comes from easing the concerns and worries of our clients so they have a stress-free experience.
“Although a lot of hard work is done behind the scenes, the team love what they do, and this truly [shows] through their work.”
Dynamic Pools was established in 2006 by company director John Meli. Since then, the business has designed and built more than 100 pools throughout Western Australia, including the hydrotherapy pool at the New Children’s Hospital in Nedlands. As a qualified pool builder with a rich background in engineering and steel fixing, Meli oversees all building works to ensure every project is completed to the highest standard.
Based in Willetton, Dynamic Pools specialises in the design and construction of small to large concrete and fibreglass swimming pools. “We have built small pools from 3m x 3m, up to our largest [which was] 50m x 8m,” explains Meli. Having successfully completed projects on hillsides and sand sites, as well as in areas with remote access and high water tables, the team at Dynamic Pools are confident in tackling challenging projects.
Brendan Fay is Dynamic Pools’ longest-standing staff member, with many years of experience in formwork, steel fixing, plumbing and concreting. “[Fay] has proven to be an asset to the company,” says Meli. “He is hard-working, liaises well with clients, and is a competent
and resourceful member of the team.”
In the administration department, Sue Blatherwick has been Dynamic Pools’ financial controller for 10 years. Blatherwick brings more than 27 years of business-accounting acumen to the company, having previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers. A diverse range of backgrounds gives the team a greater understanding of the pool building industry. Staff members continue to strengthen their skills through in-house and external training.
With a commitment to delivering outstanding quality, Dynamic Pools offers a 20-year structural warranty for every pool it builds. “Our warranties set us far apart from other pool companies,” says Meli. “We know [that] people want value for money, [an] aesthetically pleasing design and long-lasting [materials].
“Anyone can claim to be a pool builder, but the proof is in the longevity of the pool.”
Dynamic Pools was one of the first companies to pioneer self-cleaning pool technology in Western Australia. “Self-cleaning pools speak for that the company adheres to both organisations’
themselves,” says Meli. “We adopted this type of construction years ago, and have been building these types of pools in concrete for 15 years. We have also recently taken on a distributorship with self-cleaning fibreglass pools.”
Looking towards the future of the industry, Meli hopes to see a licensing system implemented throughout Western Australia. “If the state adopted a licensing system, just like other states in Australia, there would be better protection for [homeowners] against scammers.”
In the meantime, Meli has big dreams for Dynamic Pools. When asked what he would create with unlimited resources and an infinite budget, Meli describes a pool that features all the bells and whistles. “I would create a project with vanishing edges in the spa and the pool,” he says. “It would be self-cleaning [and] heated, with crystal-clear water.
“Anyone can buy the products, but it takes people with knowledge to put it together and make the whole system work correctly.”
Primo Pools is a boutique, family-owned and -operated pool design and construction company that specialises in high-quality concrete pools and spas, as well as resurfacing and renovations. Based in Kardinya, the business has quickly built a reputation for excellence throughout Perth’s metropolitan area.
Husband-and-wife team Daniel and Tess Mackey founded Primo Pools in 2012, after meeting through their respective jobs in the pool building industry some years prior. Daniel’s passion for high-quality construction and workmanship is perfectly complemented by Tess’ expertise in business management and customer service. This combination forms the strong foundation of the business.
Daniel began his career in the pool building industry more than 17 years ago. His experience comprises servicing and maintenance, as well as construction. “[Daniel] started in vinyl lining and moved his way up into concrete,”
explains Tess, who is also the office manager for Primo Pools. “[Concrete is where] his true passion and talents were discovered.”
Since its inception, Primo Pools has built more than 80 new pools and worked on countless renovation projects. “We believe in quality over quantity,” says Tess. “[The company’s] aim is to create something that’s special and unique, while enhancing not only your outdoor living [area], but also your lifestyle.”
As a close-knit, family-run business, Primo Pools is acutely sensitive to the need for pools to be child-friendly and safe. “A lot of the pools we build are for young families,” explains Tess, who says safety is a core construction principle of the business. “It’s important to us that we educate [our clients] to [ensure they] get the most out of their pool, not only for aesthetics but also for practicality.”
Tess has observed that block sizes and backyards are decreasing in size, which means that pool builders need to adopt a more creative approach. Rather than building simple rectangular pools, the team at Primo Pools use their imagination and skills to create unique designs that are tailored for modern living. “What I think makes a pool stand out from the rest is freeform design, [as well as] different levels and slopes,” says Tess. “These can be created in any space, but there can be limitations due to budget.”
Primo Pools is a certified SPASA member, which means its concrete pools are guaranteed to be of the highest standard. Moving forward, Tess and the team would like to see further regulation of the industry, with pool building recognised as a legitimate trade, complete with effective training opportunities and qualifications.
Founded in 1994, The Water’s Edge is a family-owned and -operated pool construction business in Woodvale. Initially specialising in building unique vinyl and concrete swimming pools, the company has gradually expanded its services to include the design of water features, and the construction of alfresco dining areas, as well as landscaping. By offering a holistic range of outdoor design services, The Water’s Edge has the ability to turn its clients’ entire backyard concept into a reality.
Company founder Steve Nener is an award-winning pool designer and builder with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. In addition to pool design and construction, Nener is highly skilled in carpentry, project management and general landscaping. Nener’s eldest son, Daniel, is the assistant manager at The Water’s Edge, and the two have been working together for more than 14 years.
Nener’s younger son, Craig, is also deeply involved in the family business. An architectural draftsman with more than five years of practical experience, Craig works on design- and planning-approval applications, building-licence
submissions and construction documentation.
The multidisciplinary team have valuable experience in a diverse range of fields, which Nener believes is a core reason for the business’ success. “Our team comprises carpenters, brick-layers, tilers and architectural designers, as well as landscapers and builders.”
While Nener estimates that he’s personally constructed at least 2000 pools throughout his career, The Water’s Edge’s portfolio lies somewhere in the triple-digits. “Throughout the years, we’ve built a couple of hundred pools at least,” he says.
The problem-solving team at The Water’s Edge aren’t afraid to take on unusually shaped areas or difficult sites. “A lot of builders would just walk away from a difficult site,” says Nener. “We take on difficult sites and are always up for the challenge.
“We build pools that complement the home, which I think definitely sets us apart from other companies out there.”
This dedicated approach has garnered the company well-deserved, industry-wide recognition over the years. It took home three awards at the 2017 SPASA Western Australia Awards of Excellence, including Silver in the Best Concrete Lap Pool category, and Bronze in the Best Concrete Pool $50,000–$100,000 and Best Residential Spa categories.
With homeowners becoming increasingly discerning, Nener believes it’s more important than ever for pool building companies to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, products and technologies. “[Due to the Internet and websites like Houzz], clients are so educated and savvy, and they’re looking worldwide at products and new technologies,” explains Nener. “[As a business], you have to be open-minded, and incorporate these new trends into your designs. I’m even educated by the client sometimes, because they’re so knowledgeable about pool trends.”
