50,000 Gallons of Backyard Paradise
Collin County man's pool is Ferrari of home watering holes
By RANDY MCILWAIN
Updated 7:49 AM CST, Tue, Jun 2, 2009
There are pools, and there there's what Eugene Lochman of Prosper has in his back yard.
He's built a 50,000-gallon, backyard "staycation."
"I've always loved water," Lochman said. "I've always loved being in it, and I've always loved building things."
His pool is the Ferrari of all home watering holes.
"From this remote, I can turn on everything about the pool," he said.
If you're thinking, "His pool has a remote control?" -- yes, it's true. The remote controls the pool's functions.
The pool has a 15-person grotto with an underwater bench and a table for sitting and enjoying music. It has a waterfall, fountains, a bridge shower, a 260-foot lazy river, underwater bar stools, fog machines, a hot-tub cabana and special lighting to give it that Vegas effect.
"It brings back the inner child in people," Lochman said. "They see it, and they're like, 'Man, that's fun again. That's what I want.'"
But wanting a pool like Lochman's and affording it are two different things entirely.
He designed and helped build his pool -- to the tune of more than $200,000.
Without the all the bells and whistles, the price can certainly vary. And in this economy, buyers of such watering holes are usually commercial, not residential. But that is changing -- Lochman said Californians are using the investment of a backyard waterpark to enhance their home values and provide endless hours of summer fun.
Locally, homeowners associations looking to add that perfect piece to the neighborhood are looking to Lochman's designs for ideas.
One look at his pool on a hot North Texas summer day, and the pool practically sells itself, Lochman said.
If nothing else, his friends are certainly sold. Of course, there's just one problem with that.
"It's bad when you come home, and there's people in your pool, and you didn't even invite them," Lochman said.
First Published: Jun 1, 2009 9:15 PM CST
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