SHARK SCARE
Amid fears, Cape pool biz booming
Cape Codders are putting in pools so they can stay out of the shark-infested ocean, according to contractors who say they are enjoying a boom in installations.
“I’m turning people down because we are too busy,” said Jim Treese, co-owner of Cape Cod Aquatics Pools and Hot Tubs based in Harwich.
He said the interest in swimming pools has “exploded” beyond his capacity. He’s installed three fiberglass swimming pools so far this summer and said he would like to take on more jobs, but lacks manpower at his small company.
“I think it’s a unique situation, who would have ever thought that something like sharks would expand a business?” said Treese.
Steven Senna, owner of Swimming Pool and Spa Design in Hyannis, services towns from Plymouth to Provincetown and said his larger company has installed about 38 pools so far this summer with another dozen lined up for the fall.
“We had a 20% increase in sales from last year,” said Senna. “They know there have been shark attacks … that could definitely be a good contributing factor that people want a swimming pool in their backyard.”
Several Cape towns that keep online records show a bump in pool permits. In Barnstable, building permits have been issued for 30 pools just halfway through the construction season — compared to 33 for all of 2018. In Chatham, building permits show 17 pools have been installed, up from 15 at this time last year. Even Provincetown, with little room to grow, has bumped up from one to two permits so far. Contractors say they don’t expect the pool installation boom to trail off midseason.
“I have a few customers that say I should advertise, ‘Why swim with the sharks if you can swim in the pool?’ … I would say it does have an impact,” said Senna.
Meanwhile, Twitter has been buzzing with Cape Cod vacationers electing to stay poolside this summer. One person tweeted, “Count on great whites being EVERYWHERE surrounding cape cod. Find a pool to swim in.”
Tracy Berestecky, a Cape Cod real estate agent, took to Facebook to amp up her business with a tongue-incheek post that included a photo of a shark warning sign at a beach.
“Who is looking for the most ideal Cape Cod home with a pool?” Berestecky wrote. “Call me today … the native seals are getting restless … Welcome to Cape Cod! Hopefully your new home; yet home to the sharks for a million years or so!”
Elizabeth Sorbello, a Marstons Mills resident who recently had a pool installed at her home, admitted the shark scare was a “factor.”
“Even in our area there has been more shark activity and more seal activity that’s for sure,” said Sorbello, though she said, “It was really just a small factor for deciding to get a pool.”
Treese, a surfer, said he believes another shark attack is “inevitable,” and the demand for pools will continue.
“The interest in swimming pools is going to continue unless you kill the sharks off somehow,” said Treese. “It has spooked everybody. … There’s a fear factor there’s no question.”
“The sharks are absolutely here to stay and it’s a shame,” Treese said. “I’ll dive in but I can’t go out there comfortably and surf. I’m too spooked, I’ll admit it.”