About Shaun & Aquascapes
A physics graduate who chose his trade and spent 30 years digging deeper
Shaun studied physics at Brock University. A summer job introduced him to pool construction. After graduating, he spent two years in physics-related work, then came back to pools, because the craft held his attention in a way a desk job never did.
He could have taken the generalist path: landscaping licence, pools as a sideline, crews for the digs. Instead, he specialized completely. One trade. One company. Every build, personally.
True expertise is built in the details: taking optional technical courses, maintaining build records, and knowing every piece of equipment.
The owner builds your pool
At most pool companies, the owner sells the job and a separate crew builds it. That model scales well. At Aquascapes, Shaun is on-site every day, from first dig to final walkthrough. To keep it that way, Aquascapes limits the number of builds each season. Every client gets the owner, not a foreman.
From concept to completion, and every season that follows
Our builds are guided by a commitment to long-term reliability. We select every component based on whether we'd be proud to service it for the next 20 years.
Materials
Specified for longevity, not cost.
Aquascapes builds exclusively on Latham pool kits. The same Kafko line has been going into every build since 1994.
Equipment
Better equipment, better warranties.
We run every pool on Hayward systems because they last. Plus, our status as a Totally Hayward® Dealer means we can offer you extended manufacturer warranties that non-dealer builders can't access. It's a major perk. Ask us for the details before you start your build.
Drainage
The secret to a lasting pool? It's all in the drainage.
Most people think about tiles and water features when designing a pool, but the most critical factor for long-term success is actually drainage. Poor drainage is the #1 cause of major pool headaches down the road. The trick is to plan for it during the design stage. It's much cheaper and more effective than trying to fix a "swampy" backyard mid-build.
Plumbing
Leak-proof connections.
Proper plumbing requires a two-step process: primer followed by cement. We never skip this step because it creates a permanent bond. It's our way of ensuring your pool stays leak-free for decades, even in challenging soil conditions.
Every decision in the build connects to the long-term ownership experience
Parts in stock, no downtime.
We use the same Hayward and Latham products we stock in our Waterloo store. If a pump fails or a control board needs replacing, we don't have to order it in. The part is already on our shelf, getting your pool back up and running fast.
The team that knows your pool best.
Why hire a third party who has never seen your underground plumbing? From weekly maintenance to winter closings, your pool is handled by the team that built it. We have the original diagrams and layouts, ensuring every service is done with total insider knowledge.
One builder. One service team. One parts supply. One set of records. One company standing behind it from the first design conversation through every season that follows.
Expert vetting, not sales pitching
While other trades pivot to snow removal in the off-season, Shaun spends his time studying. He evaluates new equipment and chemistry updates through the lens of a physics graduate, systematically testing them against real-world performance before they ever reach a quote.
Most "premium" add-ons don't make the cut. For example, we often recommend against Ozone or UV systems if the cost doesn't justify the benefit. We might lose an immediate upsell, but we gain a client who trusts us for the next twenty years.
Thirty years of deliberate learning
Each credential below was pursued because Shaun wanted to understand something better, not because a licence required it.
| Credential | Accreditation | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Lowry's School of Pool & Spa Maintenance, Level II with Honours | NSPI-accredited | 1997 |
| Hayward Heater Service Training | NSPI-accredited, 5 hours | 1997 |
| Jandy Technical Service School, Laars Heaters | NSPI-approved, 16 hours | 2004 |
| Hayward University Cleaners Course | Hayward University | 2016 |
| Hayward University OmniLogic Automation Course | Hayward University | 2016 |
| Canadian Federation of Independent Business | Member #670034 | Since 2000 |
If this is the kind of builder you have been looking for
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