Arizona State University pulled out all the stops by creating a virtual resort with the Vista del Sol student housing project with help from Shasta Pools. The Commercial Division of Shasta Pools and Spas has become the expert at helping area universities woo potential students with posh pools and welcoming water features.

"We are very pleased that Hardison Downey Kitchell and American Campus Communities had confidence in Shasta Pools to take part in this endeavor," said Bill Gullekson of Shasta Pools Commercial Division. Many universities throughout the Valley are following this trend and are updating their landscape to luxurious designs. One way universities are adding style to their campuses is by incorporating water features and pools. Shasta Pools Commercial Division has completed several of these "campus enrichment" projects and has established a reputation as the pool and water feature builder universities trust. "Shasta Pools Has built water parks for resorts as well as NCAA aquatic facilities such as Arizona State University's Mona Plummer Aquatic Center but bringing the resort-style pools to dorm life is an exciting new trend," noted John Neely, Senior Marketing Manager with Shasta Pools.

Living on campus used to mean a cramped dorm room and a communal shower. Amenities meant a window that opened! But those days may be a thing of the past. Students now want all the comforts they are used to for their first away from home experience.

Vista del Sol, at Arizona State University, opened its doors for the 2008 fall semester. The new development, located near the main campus in Tempe, AZ, seems more like a resort than student housing. To accomplish this feel Shasta Pools and Spas Commercial Division teamed up with Hardison Downey Kitchell and American Campus Communities to create a luxurious outdoor space, which includes a posh, resort style pool and enormous spa. The palm tree lined pool is a social hub for residents of Vista del Sol. Students seeking sun have their pick of chairs to lounge on and for those who want some relief from the heat can escape to the ramadas complete with fireplace, outdoor kitchen and plenty of plush seating.

Shasta Pools has been building projects for universities all over the Valley. Additional aquatic architecture for ASU, the University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University and Estrella Community College have all been completed by Shasta Pools.

At Grand Canyon University Shasta constructed an enormous 5,500 square foot swimming pool along with two oversized therapeutic spas. The pool features a custom, decorative stone deck and pool side cabanas. This outdoor space adds to the prestigious campus feel and gives students a deluxe area for relaxation and enjoyment.

Shasta was also chosen to construct a Zen-like water feature at Estrella Mountain Community College. The extended runnel cuts a stream across the lawn, connecting several waterfalls, eventually flowing into a Koi fish pond. This water feature adds a tranquil element to an otherwise bustling campus. The sound of the trickling water and subtle dark interior of the stream evokes a sense of serenity and makes it a perfect place for students to study or just take a break from the long day.

About Shasta Pools
Shasta Pools has been the number one pool builder in Arizona since 1968, and has built more than 75,000 swimming pools throughout the state. Additionally, Shasta Pools Commercial Divisions are recognized across the state and country for their expertise. Shasta Pools receives numerous awards and accolades throughout the industry and is the only Phoenix pool builder that is a member of the prestigious Master Pools Guild. Over the years, the company has grown to include nine divisions. From pool building and pool product manufacturing to retail supply stores and customer service, each division strives to provide a level of service second to none.

Labels: arizona state university, asu, shasta pools

Shasta Pools & Spas has deployed eCopy ShareScan® document imaging software along with OptiScan eVista^TM document management software to support its production and financial processes for building swimming pools. Shasta Pools & Spas, a family-owned business headquartered in Arizona, expects to save $500,000 a year through process improvements and reduced printing and paper costs by using eCopy^TM and OptiScan together.

A division of Shasta Industries, Inc., Shasta Pools & Spas is the top Pool Builder in Arizona and one of the largest pool builders in the country and with that, "Shasta Pools has built its reputation by taking care of our customers and making sound business decisions. The choice to move towards a paperless system was a win-win. It is great for the environment and reduces overhead which translates into value for our customers." says Steve Ast, Partner and Vice President of Sales & Marketing

With the implementation of OptiScan eVista^TM and eCopy^TM Shasta has eliminated the need to make numerous copies of documents for distribution throughout the company and to external contractors. Documents are available to all approved users within moments of imaging, allowing for fast, efficient document retrieval. This reduces the cost of physically moving paper between five sales offices and the corporate headquarters. This also eliminates the cost of printing, lost or inconsistent documents, filing, and storage.

The OptiScan eVista^TM document management software provides secure, web-based document access and search capabilities to Shasta employees and vendors, making contracts and other important documents easy-to-find and immediately available. Additionally, eVista^TM provides role-based document security to ensure documents are only accessible for those granted access.

"We were running our copier machines into the ground feeding a costly, paper-intensive workflow with our pool contracts," said Robert Dye, Controller at Shasta Pools. "The eCopy^TM / OptiScan solution enables us to scan contracts right away and make them available both internally and externally to our vendors in the field. This not only dramatically decreases excessive paper usage, it provides a fast and efficient way for employees to locate and view documents and provides an efficient service to our vendors"

eCopy^TM document imaging software is operating on 13 multifunction printers (MFPs) to provide Shasta employees with an intuitive, consistent user interface across multiple departments, including accounting, design, purchasing and construction. Shasta simply scans and converts the paper-based information to Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files, associates the PDF files with an existing job in the system, and seamlessly imports them into the eVista^TM system using web services. Leveraging the PDF standard makes it easy to distribute documents and provide access to outside vendors.

"We scan our pool layouts and any design changes, making them available to everyone involved in building a pool. Extending our document workflows outside our company significantly reduces the chance of mistakes being made by an outside vendor because all vendors will be working with the latest document," said Robert Dye.

OptiScan, a provider of capture services, software and hardware solutions based in Phoenix, Arizona, used the eCopy^TM software development kit to create the eCopy Connector for eVista^TM, an interface allowing eCopy's document scanning capabilities to merge seamlessly with OptiScan’s eVista^TM document management solution.

"The eCopy / eVista solution enables Shasta employees to use their MFPs to make important documents readily available to the vendors and employees engaged in a project via web access," said Al Hawkins, President of OptiScan Inc. "Access to each document is assigned and controlled through role-based access ensuring that the right documents are accessible to the right people at the right time."

About eCopy^TM, Inc.
eCopy^TM, Inc. is an innovative provider of open and flexible solutions that transform paperwork into paper that works. With more than 75,000 units sold, eCopy is the market leader in MFP document imaging software. eCopy customers include GE, Time Warner Inc., Yahoo!, Nissan, Verizon Wireless, BP, Sprint, General Motors, Siemens, Cisco Systems, SAAB, and Sony Corporation. eCopy, Inc. is a global company headquartered in the United States, with subsidiaries in Japan and the UK, offices in Germany, France, Scandinavia, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. For more information, visit http://www.ecopy.com or join the conversation at eCopy’s Document Imaging Blog at http://documentimaging.typepad.com eCopy is a trademark of eCopy, Inc.

About Shasta Pools & Spas
Shasta Pools & Spas was founded in 1966 and has been the number one pool builder in Arizona since 1968 with more than 75,000 swimming pools built throughout the state. Shasta is a recognized leader and innovator in the swimming pool industry and is the only Phoenix pool builder that is a member of the prestigious Master Pools Guild. Over the years, the company has grown to include nine divisions including swimming pool building, pool remodeling, pool product manufacturing and pool supply retail stores. For more information, visit Shasta Pools & Spas Website (www.shastapools.com) or Shasta Pools Official News Blog (http://news.shastapools.com).

Labels: ecopy, optiscan, sharescan, shasta, shasta pools

Not only are people re-thinking their spending and driving habits here in the valley, but people are also cutting back on out of town vacations. With the rising cost of both airline and car travel, people are tuning in to the idea of a "staycation."

Staycation is one of the latest buzz words to emerge from the energy crunch catalyst. The whole idea is to take a vacation but without the high cost of travel, expensive airfare, and hotel accommodations. Simply put, people are staying home and enjoying friends and family indoors and out. They are spending hard earned money on items around the house that they can enjoy for years to come.

The Valley is recognizing that people are starting to jump on the staycation bandwagon. The Arizona hotel industry without fail is hit every summer with their slow season due to the triple digit temperatures and heat warnings that every Arizonian struggles to adjust to. With a little research, many local hotels offer enticing discount rates in order to generate business and it is a safe bet that much of this is from local residents. A long weekend at a local resort could be just the ticket to chill out next to a sparkling pool and sip tropical drinks.

Others are taking it a step further and bringing the tropical resort feel to their own home. It would be surprising to hear that any industry has yet to be affected by the lackluster economic conditions. The pool industry, for instance, has felt its fair share. Pools are considered to be a luxury item, but many families are choosing a new pool as something they can enjoy for years to come instead of a distant vacation memory. By choosing to stay close to home during the warm summer months, families are more easily convinced to invest in such an indulgence. John Neely, of Shasta Pools & Spas, says, "We are discovering that the idea of having a great pool in the backyard that can be enjoyed all year doesn't cost any more annually than a family vacation for a week or two." AAA Magazine quotes an average vacation expense for 2007 of $100 per person, per day (source: Wikianswers.com) so, on a 10-day trip a family of four will spend $4000. Using simple math that equates to just under $340 per month, more than enough to cover an average pool payment.

With depreciating value of the American dollar, going anywhere outside of the country seems nearly impossible for the average American trying to be reasonable and financially practical with their vacation plans. Some are simply taking the time off work, putting time and money into their homes, spending time with their families, or just enjoying what Arizona really has to offer.

Making a day trip to any of the valley lakes, enjoying the sunshine outside by the pool, or visiting any of the local attractions, is what staycationing is really about. Not a bad idea for any Arizonian looking to relax and take some time away from the office.

Labels: arizona, shasta pools, staycation

The Shasta Pools Repair Division is excited to announce the product addition of the Sta-Rite Variable Speed Pump. This new addition to the line of products that are offered to Shasta Pool customers is a huge step for the pool industry. It is a known fact that a homeowners pool pump is the second highest energy consumer in a household. Often, standard pool pumps can consume as much energy as all other household appliances combined. Installing a Sta-Rite Variable Speed pump can cut energy costs 30%-90%, which can lead to $621 to $1,356 in utility costs annually; this dollar amount could be even increase where energy rates are higher. The VS-3050 pump uses exclusive permanent magnet motors (like those used in hybrid cars) to provide a minimum savings of 30% over a standard pool pump.

While the savings are obviously beneficial there are other advantages to replacing your old pool pump with a VS-3050. This pump is the quietest running pool pump on the planet, thus the noise pollution is nearly eliminated. Also, the permanent magnet motor will generate far less vibration and heat than a traditional pool pump motor. This will result in less wear and tear on the pump's other components and lead to a longer life.

Shasta Pool Repair can replace older, less efficient pool pumps or any other equipment. Although the upfront cost is more than that of a standard pool pump, the VS-3050 will pay for itself with energy savings in no time.

About Shasta Pool Repair and Customer Care Division
With the experience that comes from building 75,000 of our own swimming pools, the Shasta Pools service and repair division has the expertise to provide solid repair services to any make or model of swimming pool. The Shasta Pool Repair division is dedicated to providing expert pool repair services. In over 28 years, Shasta Pool Repair has run over 700,000 service calls in Arizona, giving us years of experience to draw from.

About Shasta Industries, Inc.
Shasta Pools & Spas was founded in 1966 and has been the number one pool builder in Arizona since 1968. Shasta is a recognized leader and innovator in the swimming pool industry and is the only Phoenix pool builder that is a member of the prestigious Master Pools Guild. Over the years, the company has grown to include nine divisions including swimming pool building, pool remodeling, pool product manufacturing and pool supply retail stores and a pool repair division.

Labels: shasta pool repair, shasta pool supplies, shasta pools, variable speed pump

Shasta Pools & Spas announces the early fall opening of the highly anticipated swimming pools, therapeutic spas and Spanish style water features at the Montelucia Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Montelucia, nestled on the North side of Camelback Mountain, has been wholly designed and architected to feature the distinct ambiance and influence of Andalucia, in the South of Spain. With 293 hotel rooms and suites, the Resort/Spa side of Montelucia will include a restaurant, a wedding chapel and a 30,000 square foot health spa. For the resort area, there are a total of three outdoor pool areas, all of which will be heated year-round. The Shasta Pools Semi-Commercial Division has been working with Montelucia for approximately two years to design, engineer and construct the spectacular pools, spas and water features that will contribute to the Southern Spanish experience.

The first and smallest of the three outdoor pool areas is known as the Andalucian, reserved specifically for the guests of the presidential suite. This 343 square foot pool with an attached spa has custom Spanish style coping and intricate stone decking. The spa itself has its own shade structure to create a more private, intimate environment for guests of the suite.

The Oasis Pool area will be the hub of the resort for many of Montelucia's guests. The elaborate deck area features spaced-out deck patterns etched with brick designs and Spanish tile accents. The 1716 square foot pool has custom Spanish blend coping and is rectangular in shape. The detached spa is accented with a water feature wall to the North that ties in ambient water sounds and soothing water movement. There will be an abundance of lounging areas and eight cabanas for guests to enjoy.

The Main Pool area and largest of the three is the main focus of the Spanish influenced resort. The 3820 square foot pool is operated by a two slot gutter system, giving the illusion that the water is terminating into the deck. The massive 384 square foot therapeutic spa is the size of a typical small pool and can seat 20 people comfortably. It is raised above the pool's deck level and will be highlighted by a 20 foot long, tile faced water feature wall with five custom stone scuppers separating it from the main pool area. There is a separate raised area that contains a fire ring for guests to enjoy on cool evenings. The pool and spa will be surrounded by 12,000 square feet of decking that will leave plenty of room for the 10-15 cabanas, lounging areas and lush landscaping.

Shasta is constructing 14 water features throughout the resort side of the property, the most notable being La Alhambra Walk. For the 30,000 square foot spa, Shasta will complete a shotcrete whirlpool and a cold deluge for the men and a shotcrete whirlpool and cold deluge for women. The Spa Grande, a 524 square foot stainless steel pool was crane lifted onto the roof and will be available for use during spa treatments. Throughout the entire resort/spa area of the property there is an abundance of hand carved Cantera stone, Spanish brick and coping and hand carved stone scuppers, all reminiscent of Spain.

About Shasta Semi-Commercial
The Shasta Pools Semi-Commercial division builds spectacular and unique swimming pools all over the state of Arizona. Semi-Commercial's expertise lies with design and engineering, custom projects, high-rise projects and remodeling. From swimming pools and spas at resort hotels and business complexes to complex water features at master planned communities, Shasta's Semi-Commercial division can bring your project to life.

About Shasta Industries
Shasta Industries consists of nine divisions and is founded on constant innovation and providing astonishing customer service. Shasta employs more than 500 people throughout the Valley and has been Arizona's number one pool builder since 1968. For more information, visit www.shastapools.com.

Labels: Montelucia, Montelucia Resort Spa, shasta, shasta pools, shasta semi-commercial

As the Arizona State University campus grows, residences are essential to fit the needs of the ever increasing student population. ASU plans to increase housing from 6,800 to 12,000 by 2015. ASU has partnered with ACC (American Campus Committees) to develop a new, modern living area. The South Campus Residential Community (SCRC) is located on the SE corner of Apache Boulevard and McAllister Avenue in Tempe, AZ. It is a project in development for mixed use with student residences, commercial/retail space, common areas and a parking garage. The goal of the project is to attract older upperclassmen that have chosen residences off campus in the developments outside of ASU's main territory. The 1,860 beds in 10 buildings will include a community center, common areas, a fitness center, an auditorium and a lounge. Among the amenities include a Shasta Pool built by the Shasta Pools Semi-Commercial Division.

The Shasta Pool built at ASU's South Campus Residential Community is a 2240 square foot free form pool. Also, included in the design is a 177 square foot spa that will comfortably fit 13 swimmers. The symmetrical pool design compliments the architecture of the building and will be a hub of socialization for the residents. The pool features custom coping and an abundance of sun deck and lounging areas. Plenty of shade structures and planters will surround the pool and spa area. Other key elements for residents to enjoy include a fire pit and a dual barbeque.

About Shasta Semi-Commercial
The Shasta Pools Semi-Commercial division builds spectacular and unique swimming pools all over the state of Arizona. Semi-Commercial's expertise lies with design and engineering, custom projects, high-rise projects and remodeling. From swimming pools and spas at resort hotels and business complexes to complex water features at master planned communities, Shasta's Semi-Commercial division can bring your project to life.

About Shasta Industries
Shasta Semi-Commercial is a division of Shasta Industries. Founded in 1966, Shasta has been Arizona's number one pool builder for 40 consecutive years. Shasta Industries encompasses nine divisions and employs more than 500 people throughout the Valley.

Labels: arizona state university, asu, shasta, shasta pools, shasta semi-commercial

Xcel Surfaces a subsidiary of Shasta Pools announces the addition of a new product to their current line of floor surfacing compounds. Sure Cure is a low VOC, waterborne hybrid emulsion incorporating proprietary chemistries specifically designed to address the problems associated with accelerated hydration of concrete swimming pool shells and slabs. This new innovation from Xcel Surfaces enhances hydration of concrete to provide increased compressive strength. Sure Cure virtually eliminates cracking, checking and also improves coating adhesion, where applicable. Application of the product is simple and drying time is quick. Sure Cure is spray applied directly to the concrete pool shell or slab immediately after having finished using a conventional pump-type or airless sprayer. This product dries fast and cleans up easily with water. Available in 5 gallon containers.

About Xcel Surfaces
Established in 1996, Xcel Surfaces was created in response to a growing demand for quality surfacing products and services. Today, our products are designed for consistency and reliability with the ultimate goal of exceeding customer expectations. The Xcel Surfaces system is engineered for concrete texturing, coloring, and superior performance. A growing number of homeowners, businesses, contractors, and architects are becoming inspired by the flexibility of decorative concrete surfacing and the wide array of patterns, colors, and options available. Xcel Surfaces is one of the nine divisions under the Shasta Pools corporate umbrella.

About Shasta Industries, Inc.
Shasta Pools consists of nine divisions and is founded on constant innovation and providing astonishing customer service. Shasta employs more than 500 people throughout the Valley and has been Arizona's number one pool builder since 1968. For more information, visit www.shastapools.com.

Labels: shasta pools, Sure Cure, XcelvSurfaces

For customers seeking variety and new options for water features, A&A Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Shasta Pools announces the addition of the Trio Deck Jet. This new and exciting product is mounted into the deck of a swimming pool, splash pad or fountain. Crafted from automotive-grade ABS plastic and injected with UV inhibitors to extend its life, the Trio Deck Jet is the first fountain of its kind. The Trio Deck Jet enables pool owners to switch the eyelet with a simple turn-and-click to create a variety of water displays. It has three different spray patterns: Water Jet, Fan Spray and Triple Spray. With the Trio Deck Jet versatility is endless; the nozzle comes in five colors to match any deck.

Pool owners choose to install water features for many reasons. If you happen to live near a busy street the calming sound of a water feature can help to drown out the noise. Water features can also add fun, excitement and beauty to any swimming pool. The versatility and appeal of the Trio Deck Jet makes it an obvious choice for pool customers seeking a new approach to water accents.

About A&A Manufacturing
A&A is a pool product manufacturer located in the Phoenix, Arizona. A&A provides unique, automated pool products to customers all over the world. A&A Manufacturing is subsidiary of Shasta Pools that constantly strives to offer customers innovative products and astonishing customer service.

Labels: shasta manufacturing, shasta pool supplies, shasta pools

Shasta Pool Repair also known as Shasta Customer Care is excited to officially announce the launch of its new website. The results of this on-going project have been well received. According to John Neely, Senior Marketing & Creative Manager, "As an organization that constantly strives to provide remarkable customer service, we are continually looking for ways to make a Shasta customer's experience convenient and beneficial...I believe that we have accomplished that with ShastaPoolRepair.com. Our goal was to provide the Shasta Pool Repair customer with a convenient gateway to these products and services."

Through ShastaPoolRepair.com we are introducing new resources for pool owners throughout the Valley. Monthly promotions and seasonal specials are an integral part of the website that allows new and existing customers the opportunity to receive incentives and discounts. ShastaPoolRepair.com allows visitors to schedule appointments for tune-ups, inspections or repairs effortlessly.

About Shasta Pool Repair
With the experience that comes from building over 75,000 swimming pools, the Shasta Pools service and repair division has the expertise to provide solid repair services to any make or model of swimming pool. There are hundreds of choices for pool repair and maintenance which makes it hard to trust a company and know that you are receiving the most for your money. For over 28 years, Shasta Pool Repair has run over 700,000 service calls in Arizona, giving us years and volumes of experience to draw from to diagnose and repair a swimming pool's operational needs.

About Shasta Industries, Inc.
Shasta Industries consists of nine divisions and is founded on constant innovation and the ability to provide astonishing customer service. Shasta employs more than 500 people in the Valley and has been Arizona's number one pool builder since 1968. For more information please visit www.shastapools.com.

Labels: shasta pool repair, shasta pool supplies, shasta pools, shasta-pools

Shasta Pools and Spas has teamed up with its manufacturing division, A&A Manufacturing to offer customers a true innovation in pool drains - the Anti-Vortex Single Channel (AVSC) Drain.

The AVSC Drain is the only drain of its kind available to swimming pool owners. It is the only un-blockable drain on the market. The AVSC can be used anywhere high-flow debris removal and anti-entrapment are a requirement. The advanced engineering of the AVSC is perfect for spas, negative/vanishing edges, fountains and sheer decent pool features. It even allows Shasta Pools owners the ability to plumb two pumps into one AVSC Drain instead of the typical four main drains. This leaves a much less crowded interior finish. John Neely, Senior Marketing Manager for Shasta Pools commented, "It is funny to think of a pool drain as a technical piece of equipment but that is exactly what the AVSC is. We are equipping all the new Shasta Pools with this drain and the customer benefits by having enhanced cleaning and circulation."

The AVSC Drain is listed and certified by a national testing laboratory to comply with ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M and it is certified to 275 gallons per minute.

About A&A Manufacturing

A&A is a pool product manufacturer located in the Phoenix, Arizona. A&A provides unique, automated pool products to customers all over the world. A&A Manufacturing is subsidiary of Shasta Industries, Inc that constantly strives to offer customers the most innovative products and astonishing customer service.

About Shasta Pools & Spas

Shasta Pools & Spas was founded in 1966 and has been the number one pool builder in Arizona since 1968 with more than 75,000 swimming pools built throughout the state. Shasta is a recognized leader and innovator in the swimming pool industry and is the only Phoenix pool builder that is a member of the prestigious Master Pools Guild. Over the years, the company has grown to include nine divisions including swimming pool building, pool remodeling, pool product manufacturing and pool supply retail stores.

Labels: avsc drain, shasta manufacturing, shasta pools, shasta-pools

Shasta Pools explains a few Basic Steps for Preparing a Swimming Pool for the Summer.

Phoenix, AZ - Save time and money by running through the common pool tune-up that can get your swimming pool ready for the season.

First thing is first, start with your water chemistry. Take a sample of water to the closest Shasta Pool Supply store and let them do a FREE Computerized Water Analysis to determine what your pool really needs in order to start the swimming season off right. See all six Valley locations.

The next step is to check the operation of your pool's equipment. Make sure that catch baskets and skimmer baskets are clean and free of debris. Be sure that you have checked for any minor leaks or drips around your equipment, particularly while it is in operation. Inspect the O-Rings for dryness or cracking in the obvious areas such as the filter, backwash valve and the skimmer. Keep in mind that all pools are different and there may be other O-Rings that you need to check on your specific system. Shasta Pool Repair helps pool owners get prepare for the season with a simple 10-point tune-up, visit Shasta Pool Repair's Website for more information and pricing.

Finally, ensure that your pool's cleaning system is operating properly and doing the job that is intended to do. If it is not working, review your owner's manual for troubleshooting tips from the manufacturer. If you are still unable to resolve the issue, you can bring your pool cleaner into a nearby Shasta Pools & Supplies store or you can call Shasta Pools Repair Center if you own an in-floor pool cleaning system. A good pool cleaning and maintenance regiment can save time and money in the long life of your pool.

Shasta Pools & Supplies with Shasta Pool Repair are both divisions of Shasta Industries, Inc. Shasta Industries, Inc. was founded on the principle of providing innovative products and astonishing customer service. Family owned and operated since 1966, Shasta has been named Arizona's number one builder for 40 consecutive years. To learn more information, visit Shasta Pools Website.

Labels: O-Rings, shasta pool repair, shasta pool supplies, shasta pools, shasta-pools