a pool built for every season
Imagine Pools‘ July 2026 Pool of the Month takes us to a country property near Stratford, Iowa, surrounded by timber and built for one purpose: year-round swimming, rain or shine, summer or snow.
The pool is The Exquisite 40 in Reef Blue, installed by WCI Pools and Spas of Ames, Iowa, and set inside its own standalone indoor pool building roughly 50 to 60 yards from the main house. With a hot tub incorporated into the design and a footprint that stretches toward 70 feet with its surrounding deck, the space feels more like a private resort than a backyard addition.
According to Dave Jurgens, owner of WCI Pools and Spas, the homeowners had one clear goal from the start. “They wanted to be able to use the pool year-round. That was their intention honestly,” Jurgens said.
building the pool before the building
One of the most interesting parts of this project is the order everything happened in. The foundation went in first, then WCI excavated and installed the pool while the structure was still open. The family used it as an outdoor pool for a short time before the real work began.
Once it was time to frame the building, the team could not risk damaging the finished pool during construction.
“We couldn’t get the pool in there once the structure was up, so a false floor went over the entire pool,” Jurgens explained. “It protected everything while the roof and walls went up, and once the building was roughed in, we pulled the false floor, and there it was.”
WCI handled the pool itself, along with the sauna, pull-away coping, and deck tile work. The coping is formed and poured right up to the pool, then pulled away for a clean, seamless edge. For the building construction itself, WCI worked alongside a trusted network of contractors it regularly refers customers to on projects like this one.
an exquisite pool designed for everyday living
The Exquisite fiberglass pool design brings together a full swim channel and an incorporated hot tub, giving the homeowners room to swim laps, soak and relax without leaving the building. S.R. Smith artisan handrails add a polished, sculptural touch that stands apart from a standard rail.
Rather than saltwater, the pool runs on full chemical automation and can be managed from the homeowners’ phone.
two systems, ultimate control
Because the hot tub is incorporated into the pool rather than sharing a spillover system, it runs entirely on its own. The pool and the hot tub each have their own filtration, heating and automation, which means the hot tub stays at spa temperature around the clock while the pool can be adjusted independently.
“There are two full sets of equipment and automation,” Jurgens said. “So, they can have the pool at one temperature and the hot tub at another, all the time.”
Color-changing LED lighting beneath the water adds another layer of ambiance for evenings spent in the space.
a space made for living, not just swimming
Beyond the water, the building is outfitted like a true retreat, with a kitchenette, a sink, a fridge and a full bathroom so the family can spend an entire day there without needing to head back to the house. A large garage door opens the space up during warmer months for an outdoor feel, then closes it in to stay warm and comfortable through an Iowa winter.
Jurgens noted that a well-planned ventilation system keeps the humidity in check, something that matters a great deal in an enclosed indoor pool environment.
meet the builder: wci pools and spas
WCI Pools and Spas is a family-owned company built on decades of experience, with construction based out of Ames, Iowa, and a second location in Urbandale. Jurgens’s parents started the business in 1977, and the company will reach its 50th anniversary in 2027. Jurgens now runs WCI alongside his brother-in-law, Chad Higgins, continuing the legacy his parents began.
“This is a company my folks started back in 1977. I was about five years old, and it’s just kind of been in my blood ever since,” Jurgens emphasized.
For homeowners considering a full outdoor or indoor living space, WCI can handle the pool, spa, sauna, coping and deck from start to finish, and can also connect customers with trusted contractors for building construction. Jurgens said the results speak for themselves.
“We are happy with how it turned out, and honestly the customers are just tickled pink. They absolutely love it,” Jurgens reflected.
Get your personal retreat started today with an exquisite design from Imagine Pools by connecting with a dealer near you.
