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 Tracey Cambridge says the new backyard pool, including the diving rocks that replace the traditional board, has become a focal point for family gatherings and parties. CREDIT: DEREK RUTTAN/The London Free Press |
If a tree falls in your backyard does anyone hear a splash?
Well, that's what Old South homeowners Tracey Cambridge and Aron Gangbar heard the day the massive branch of the old Maple tree in their yard fell after a major storm.
Two years ago this past April, London and most of the rest of Ontario was blanked with ice, which left tree removal businesses logging calls faster than the branches could hit the ground.
For the Cambridge-Gangbar household it was no different. After a quick tour of the yard it was clear the damaged, unstable tree had to come down, which ended up claiming the existence of a dilapidated tin garage.
But before the sprawling in-ground pool, well-planned outdoor decorating and lush landscaping were even a fleeting thought, the tree was removed, leaving a deep, black, dirty hole in the middle of their once tidy, yet unassuming, backyard.
"The roots of the branches went to each corner of the yard. They were everywhere," explained Cambridge. "At the time we had this large pit in the middle of the backyard. I figured it was a lot easier to landscape around the hole than to fill it."
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For most people faced with an empty yard and crater-sized hole as a focal point, they wouldn't necessarily make the leap to installing a pool.
However, for Gangbar and Cambridge, the jump was effortless -- Cambridge grew up with a pool and Gangbar's parents had a cottage they visited often.
This hot summer day, the backyard is a sea of excited kids and one enthusiastic Wheaton Terrier named Finn.
"I like it a lot more. It's not gross back here anymore," admitted Cambridge's oldest daughter, Katherine, 12.
"The first time I ever jumped in it was freezing, but I didn't care," said six-year-old Claire, who swims like a fish.
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Tracey Cambridge says the new backyard pool, including the diving rocks that replace the traditional board, has become a focal point for family gatherings and parties. CREDIT: DEREK RUTTAN/The London Free Press |
Their sister Olivia, 11, and cousin Anne Fox, 8, visiting from New Jersey, help fill the air with waves of water and shrieks of joy.
"It's like this often now," said Cambridge, smiling as she served lemonade and snacks.
But long before the pitchers of cool drinks and platters of summer treats, the family had been left to figure what to do with their new pit of dirt.
For starters, the couple had a vague idea of what they wanted for landscaping, but called in a local company to help with the plans.
"We had some thoughts about what we thought would look good, but we needed to know what to plant and where, and we're not experts and had no idea where to begin, so we knew we needed some help from the professionals," said Cambridge.
Once the couple had plans in hand, Gangbar began the laborious task of digging and planting. The hard work proved rewarding, leaving thriving, colourful and verdant plantings such as Korean lilac, variegated hostas, ivy and hydrangeas, plus some other low-maintenance foliage and groundcovers. All the plants are ideal for a partial-sun area.
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Aside from flourishing vegetation that dots the back and right side of the pool, cedar loungers are nestled between the naturalization for a little poolside relaxation.
"It's nice back here," said Cambridge, who can often be found sitting by the pool after a long day working at her clothing store downtown, cold drink in hand.
With their own children always around, and others in tow, the couple opted for something other than the usual diving board.
"Most pool accidents revolve around the diving board, so we thought why don't we forgo it and go with something like this," said Cambridge.
So, rather than a typical diving board, Gangbar spent hours seeking out the perfectly shaped rocks to dive from -- each of the diving rocks weighs about 750 kilograms. Aside from being somewhat safer, the diving rocks change the entire tone of the environment, giving it a more natural, woodsy feel.
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Tracey Cambridge says the new backyard pool, including the diving rocks that replace the traditional board, has become a focal point for family gatherings and parties. CREDIT: DEREK RUTTAN/The London Free Press |
"I'm really happy how they blend in," said Cambridge of the diving rocks, which revival the size of any apartment balcony.
The rest of the cedar chairs around the deck and smaller poolside tables are made more vibrant with the addition of trendy red- and white-striped pillows, made from terrycloth beach towels.
Although it cost a little extra, the couple had the cement decking encase the pool, much like an under-mounted sink is encased in a kitchen or vanity countertop.
"It was something extra, but it's much more seamless," said Cambridge.
To the left of the pool, entering from the driveway, the backyard now includes a spacious cedar change room, which also houses other pool equipment.
The back of the change room is a luxury most homeowners would love to indulge in -- an outdoor shower. It's great for those muddy days when you would rather not have the kids track dirt through the house.
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"That was Aron's idea. He really wanted that," explained Cambridge.
Between the pool, landscaping and decking, Cambridge figures they spent about $40,000. And they say every penny has been a worthy penny spent.
"We use it all the time. It gives us a lot of pleasure," she said.
Cambridge credits the addition of the pool to easy entertaining. The family often is host to friends and relatives. It's also been the venue for a year-end class pool party for one of the couple's three girls.
"It's great for the kids, but it's great when there are no kids, too," laughed Cambridge.
"It's so nice being back here now. Sometimes we forget we are in the middle of the city, it's that peaceful back here."