See why this Apple Valley family chose Plan Pools to build their pool, and what they thought of the result.
Meet Megan and Ryan, an Apple Valley family who have been in their home since 2011. Like many families during the pandemic, they discovered they needed more entertainment options at home – but their solution went far beyond what most families consider. Their partnership with Plan Pools to build an ICF concrete pool has transformed not just their backyard, but their entire family lifestyle.
"One day, it dawned on me during COVID that we needed more entertainment at the house," Megan explains. But this wasn't just about keeping busy – it was about strategic family planning.
"We also saw the need for our kids to have solid entertainment at the house to try to encourage playing. And also we like being in the house where the friends come to us so that we can monitor the situation, get to know all the friends."
This thoughtful approach to creating a family gathering place reflects what many Twin Cities parents are discovering: the right backyard amenities can strengthen family bonds while keeping children engaged at home.
Like most homeowners, Ryan started with basic research: "I think the first thing I did was got a rope and figured out, you know, kind of roughly mapped out in my backyard. You Google the best way to build a pool and you get inundated with all sorts of different options."
After comparing multiple contractors and construction methods, the choice became clear:
"Joe was the only person locally that was building a pool the right way in my opinion. You know, like you build a house from the foundation up. It seemed like the other pool building methods were dig a hole and put a liner in it and back fill it, which might work just fine. But I really like the idea of Joe's ICF pools."
Ryan's engineering mindset appreciated Plan Pools' ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) construction from both practical and investment perspectives:
"The idea that I actually have a cinder block foundation filled with concrete makes me feel like it's as permanent of an item as it cost."
After getting estimates for both metal wall and fiberglass options, "we determined we wanted to do the ICF partially because it's so efficient and we've found that – I mean we've had the pool now for two summers and we really find it holds good heat and it does a nice job of maintaining temperature which has been a big difference for us."
While Ryan expected energy savings from the ICF design, the real-world experience exceeded expectations in surprising ways:
"I considered the fact that we would save money with the efficiency of the pool, but what I didn't anticipate is just how much easier it would be to have a pool that's kind of always warm."
The psychological impact is significant: "It feels bad to run your heater all the time. So, if you have to turn it on, you tend not to run it as much because you just kind of feel like you're spending a lot of money out there heating the pool."
With their ICF pool, "honestly, we don't even run the heater most of the year until later in the fall and the spring because of the pool's construction. The heat of the sun's enough to keep it warm."
The energy efficiency proves especially valuable during Minnesota's unpredictable weather:
"We get days in the 60s and 70s and the first summer was last summer and there were a lot of weirdly cold days and we still were able to use it because we keep it warm enough to be comfortable which is good because we get a limited season here."
This extended usability maximizes the family's investment and creates more opportunities for enjoyment throughout the year.
Perhaps the most valuable benefit has been the transformation of ordinary evenings:
"I think my favorite part about it – it's great having people over and having a reason to enjoy it with company, but for me, it's like the random Tuesday night at 7:00 when there's really not enough time to go anywhere and do anything, per se."
"It's usually time that would be spent in front of tablets or on the TV because it's later in the evening, but now those get to turn into like quick little swimming adventures with the kids."
Megan adds with a laugh: "You can get them in the pool. Sometimes you don't have to give them a bath that night... side bonus."
The family didn't stop with just the pool. Working with Plan Pools' comprehensive approach, they created a complete outdoor entertainment space:
"We had a nice big patio surround so that we can use that space, which we've created a bonfire pit area and sort of an entertaining area on top of the pool, which is great because the kids go out there and just play around on the patio."
"We also added some swings, which has been a great feature because the kids can just drop down into the yard and then we don't have to have a swing set in the outer side of the yard."
The result: "There's been a lot of added elements of having a reason to go outside even besides just swimming."
"The actual pool build process was pretty slick. They came with the heavy equipment. We kind of warned the neighbors so they knew what to expect and they were in and out of here within a handful of days. It was a relatively straightforward process."
After getting "four estimates from different pool companies that had different construction methods," Ryan's research led to a confident decision:
"Once we had decided to build the pool, I started doing the research on what the best method was. And from my seat, it's a no-brainer that Joe builds the best pool in the Twin Cities quality-wise and energy efficiency wise."
What impressed them most about working with Plan Pools was the transparent, honest approach:
"Making the decision to buy the pool was the big decision. And choosing Joe was pretty easy. He laid it all out. He's very straightforward. Joe just tells you exactly how it is. He didn't try to hide how much it was going to cost. He didn't try to sugarcoat it."
The efficiency extended throughout the project: "They were in and out rather quickly. The longest part about the process was us planting all the plants and doing some of the landscaping so that we could try to make it look as pretty around the pool as it is in the pool."
This Apple Valley family's experience demonstrates exactly why Plan Pools has become the Twin Cities' leading pool contractor. By combining superior ICF construction, honest communication, efficient installation, and genuine expertise, Plan Pools delivers what matters most: a pool that enhances family life while providing exceptional long-term value.
From Ryan's engineering perspective: Plan Pools builds "the best pool in the Twin Cities quality-wise and energy efficiency wise" with construction methods that create permanent, valuable improvements.
From Megan's family perspective: The pool creates spontaneous family moments, encourages friends to gather at their home, and transforms ordinary evenings into special memories.
If you're considering how to create more meaningful family time and entertainment at your home, this Apple Valley family's story shows what's possible. The combination of superior ICF construction, energy efficiency, and professional service creates an investment that pays dividends in family connection, energy savings, and home value for decades to come.
Ready to discover why Plan Pools is the clear choice for discerning Twin Cities families? Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn how we can transform your backyard into your family's favorite gathering place.
