Before and After a Full Pool Renovation in Golden, Co

See how a full pool renovation at The Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO, brought an outdated swimming pool back to life. From hydroblasting to tiling and plastering, this project was a massive undertaking, and the results speak for themselves.

When it comes to pool renovation, some projects call for more than just a surface touch-up. This historic public research university, the Colorado School of Mines, located in Golden, Colorado, was one of them.

Planning For A Full Pool Renovation

The pool had several layers of old plaster that had accumulated over the years, resulting in a worn, outdated surface that no longer met modern standards. A simple repair wasn’t going to cut it.

After careful planning, the decision was made to completely remove the old plaster, overhaul the pool, and bring it up to today’s regulations. And after 5 weeks, we helped transform an aging facility into a new, revitalized aquatic space.

What Needed To Be Done

We had our work cut out for us. Layers of old plaster were cracking and peeling, tiles were missing, and the surfaces of both the pool and spa no longer met today’s standards for safety and durability.

The lap pool alone needed over 40 tons of plaster removed (an insane amount), new tile, and updated drain covers. All while working within a bubble system to keep the space clean and protect the university’s assets, like the gigantic digital screen in the facility.

The goal was more than just fixing what was broken. We wanted to create a space that’s safe, structurally sound, and beautiful enough to last for decades.

The Challenges of a Full Pool Renovation

Every pool resurfacing project has its hurdles. This project had plenty.

We were working on a tight timeline and large project scope. Every step had to be carefully coordinated, leaving little room for delays.

We thoughtfully planned the renovation in phases and assigned a dedicated site supervisor to coordinate each step for a seamless project.

Protecting assets and maintaining facility cleanliness were key. The school and engineer set a high standard of work.

Our 60×100 bubble system sealed our working environment, trapping dust and debris. The bubble ventilation system then exhausted into an air filtration system. This allowed us to maintain a pristine work environment and protect the university’s assets and other sensitive equipment.

Difficult conditions added complexity to our work. Because we were hydroblasting inside a bubble, things got hot, fast. Our crew was working in 90+ degree air temperatures with 100% humidity, airborne debris, low visibility, and performing extremely physical labor removing the plaster spoils.

We kept our crew safe and work on track by always having one crew member on job safety and another keeping everyone focused on the finish line. We implemented shift rotations, frequent breaks, and prioritized hydration to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Unexpected supply chain issues made it difficult to locate materials. Finding the exact tile we needed proved to be more complicated than we had anticipated.

Fortunately, we were able to source matching tiles, even though some were discontinued. Our expert tile crew spent a whole week prepping and installing tile to make things look like new. This helped maintain the classic look of the pool.

Colorado has strict regulations on wastewater. We relied on our connections to a local dewatering tank company to provide us with a larger dewatering tank than we typically use. Dewatering tanks are environmentally friendly and keep the material clean, so it can be recycled at a quarry.

All of these factors combined to make the project a real test of planning, problem-solving, and flexibility.

The Big Reveal

We spent 4 days hydroblasting away old plaster, removing 40 tons of spoils, bucket by bucket, to then be cleaned and repurposed.

All while our 20-man house plaster crew plastered the entire pool in just one day. It also got brand-new tile and updated drain covers for a complete refresh.

The spa also got its own remodel with tile repair and resurfacing to match the pool.

To say our crew worked hard would be a dramatic understatement. Throughout the project, every step was carefully coordinated, and the crew worked tirelessly, yet safely, with zero incidents.

What was once outdated and not up to today’s regulations is now a revitalized aquatic space ready to serve athletes and students for years to come.

Ready For Your Own Pool Transformation?

Whether it’s resurfacing, tile replacement, or a complete pool renovation, our team specializes in transforming outdated pools into modern, long-lasting facilities.

We are a nationwide pool renovation company serving Golden, CO, Denver, CO, Des Moines, IA, Omaha, NE, Kansas City, MO, Minneapolis, MN, as well as surrounding areas, and beyond.

Start your own before-and-after story by getting your free quote.