When work began on the pool back in January, the contractor we hired told us we would be swimming by the end of March. By the beginning of June, all we had was a concrete hole in our backyard and a bunch of disconnected pool equipment. The contractor that built my workshop gave me an estimate of four months; it took eight to complete. The pool guys gave us an estimate of three months; it took six. The next time a contractor gives me an estimate I will immediately double it before taking blood pressure pills.

The pool’s delay was caused by a backorder of liners due to COVID. We were told once the liner arrived, we would need to be on hand for the next few days. Like clockwork, the liner arrived the day before we left for Florida. That left my dad to deal with the electrician, my in-laws to monitor the level of the water, and the contractor to do the rest. All Susan and I could do from 1,000 miles away was monitor the situation remotely through security cameras.

While we were away the liner was installed, the pool was filled, and we returned from vacation to find a brand new swimming pool waiting for us — hooray! Within five minutes we had kicked off our shoes, changed into our bathing suits, and jumped in.

On Friday we attended “pool school,” during which the contractor demonstrated how all the equipment works. I hovered around with a spiral notebook and pen, ready to write reminding notes for all the procedures. By the time school was over I had written things like “turn on,” “vacuum weekly,” and in regards to the filter equipment, “don’t touch!” (That last part, I underlined.) It’s a salt water pool and the filter is on a timer, so other than occasionally cleaning out filters and adding salt as needed, there’s not a whole lot of maintenance. I have to say I was surprised that adding salt is literally done by opening a large bag of salt and dumping it into the pool. For some reason I was expecting a more complicated procedure. Other than scooping out random bugs, the only thing we have to do every day is turn a dial to change the colors of the pool’s underwater LED lights.

Last night I did the math. Based on current admission prices for the local community center’s swimming pool, I need to swim 16,666 times in our pool to break even. Assuming I swim 365 days a year, it’ll take me 45 1/2 years. If all four of us swim every day of the year, we can get it down to 11 1/2 years. Many people who have heard we’re installing a pool has told us we’ll regret the decision due to costs and work load. In that sense I don’t think it’s unlike buying a boat, or any other large purchase that requires maintenance. Susan has wanted a pool for as long as I’ve known her, and part of the reason we moved was to gain the space required to own a workshop and a pool… which we did.

And now, it’s time for my daily swim. 16,662 days to go!