When you just can't escape to an island paradise, turning your back yard into a beautiful sanctuary is the next best thing.
"The back-yard lifestyle is increasing in popularity," said Jason Lawrence, operations manager of Oasis Leisure Centre. "People don't want to travel outside of their home country any more, so more and more they're opting to spend their vacations at home."
In 2005, Oasis opened a 12,000-sq.-ft. home-resort super-centre to cater to those who love spending their leisure time at home.
"This business has grown really fast in the past ten years, and we now carry everything to do with a backyard home resort," Lawrence said. "When people come to a pool and spa resort, they expect to find other items to access their home with -- not just pools and spas."
Other unique items that can be used to create a customized home resort include gazebos, villas, BBQ islands, and outdoor fireplaces.
"We're also seeing a lot of outdoor kitchens, which basically involve a BBQ enclosed in an island, with an outdoor fridge and sink attached," said Lawrence. "Outdoor living is extremely attractive right now, with summer just around the corner. We can also enclose your hot tub in a gazebo for extra privacy, or create an outdoor living room by using a villa."
Pools remain a popular luxury item for Winnipeggers. New innovations in the industry have resulted in salt-water systems, which eliminate the need for chlorine pucks, and robotic pool cleaners.
Oasis uses a 3-D CAD (computer-aided design) program that allows their customers to see how a new pool will look in their back yard before they commit to the installation.
"Offering something like that to our customers really reassures them. Using the CAD program means that fewer mistakes are made," Lawrence said. "It results in a virtually seamless installation, and a much less stressful environment."
Since Oasis also specializes in commercial and retail pools and spas, they are able to work year-round in a typically seasonal industry.
"Tackling these million-dollar projects during the off-season keeps our guys always experienced, so they're not losing their trade or getting rusty. We don't stop when the snow starts. People who are investing thousands of dollars in their backyards want experienced contractors -- they don't want someone just out of school installing their pool."
Although Oasis has only been in business since 2000, owners Glen Storozuk and Len Verdenik have 40 years' worth of combined experience.
Where to start
The Oasis Leisure Centre is located at 1000 St. Anne's Road. For more information, check out their website ilovemyoasis.com.
