Diversification the way to go

BUSINESSMEN and women who look outside the square to grow their ventures tend to succeed very well.

Innovation and diversification can be ways to keep a business on track or expand when trading is tough.

Award-winning Placid Pools is a business which has done very well by designing and building pools.

The family owned and operated firm is based at Smithfield and naturally has an impressive showroom featuring their products.

But the Speltas believe a gazebo and adjacent pools have become wasted space and can be developed into an entertainment venue, a pool bar for residents and tourists in the Smithfield area.

There are limited entertainment options at Smithfield so the idea is for a tropical oasis which provides a safe and relaxing tropical environment to allow people to unwind and focus on showcasing to locals and tourists the wonderful way of life in Cairns such as dipping feet into a natural eco-splash swimming pool while enjoying a cold beverage and simple grazing platter.

The proposed development will be primarily used as a bar, although the Speltas want to host weddings and other similar style events.

The diversification is intended to make Placid Pools more resilient to seasonal fluctuations during the wet season and provide some additional employment as well as jobs for existing staff when the pool business is slow.

Placid Pools is in the commercial area of Smithfield in Mt Milman Drive so there will be no disturbance to residential areas.

The proposal will need liquor licencing and Cairns Regional Council approval but is an impressive example of transformation. Nick Dalton Deputy editor