The Great Outdoors: Pools and Spas

By RYAN BRINKER

Photos by ADAM COLE

Many business-minded individuals have gone to great lengths to ensure that people in Topeka and the surrounding area have an opportunity to explore the nature around us.

For those of you who would live outdoors if the Kansas weather would allow it, the following Topeka companies make it their business to help you create outdoor spaces that make you feel at home.

DeVaders Pools and Spas A vision of the ideal outdoor living space probably isn’t complete without a hot tub or spa somewhere in the picture. Simply the idea of soaking in that steaming water makes your muscles relax. In this spirit, DeVaders Pools and Spas has asserted itself as the leading name in hot tubs and all-weather pools for Topeka since 1997.

When Waylon and Kristine Smith purchased DeVaders Pools and Spas in 2005, they saw a great business opportunity, especially since Waylon had virtually grown up in the business.

“I had worked for DeVaders the entire time going through college,” Smith said. “I had a vision for a hot tub/spa store in Topeka and this seemed liked the way to make that vision come true.”

Smith says the timing when they bought the business wasn’t great because the recession hurt the hot tub industry. However, they focused on the service aspect of the business, providing quality maintenance and service for existing hot tubs, and business fell into place.

Now that the economy has picked back up, many of those customers are trading in their old hot tubs for newer, more advanced models.

“That was my goal,” Smith said. “By taking care of customers, we create repeat customers down the road.”

In addition to hot tubs, DeVaders also offers all-weather pool installations. The swim spa market has been growing rapidly as people look for new ways to stay active and healthy.

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“The older generation needs the aqua therapy, and this allows them to have it in their back yard,” Smith said. “An all-weather pool let’s them use it 365 days a year, whereas a pool, in this climate is only useable for three months out of the year.”

Smith says DeVaders Pools and Spas will work with clients and landscape designers to provide the most aesthetic and service friendly installations. This is especially important as people are looking to create backyard havens where the hot tub or spa is incorporated into the surrounding features. As people become more aware, Smith says, the market has been steadily growing.

“More people are buying hot tubs and spas than one would think,” Smith said. “Many of the people I meet don’t realize there is a pretty good market for these products here in Topeka.”

Whether people are looking to simply relax in a backyard hot tub or reap the benefits of year-round aqua therapy with an all-weather pool, DeVaders Pools and Spas can help complete those outdoor living spaces.