The Elms Hotel & Spa | Excelsior Springs, MO

Project Outline

Mid-America Pool Renovation played a critical role in the massive $20M revival of the historic Elms Hotel & Spa, completed a restoration of aquatic amenities. After decades of “piece-meal” renovations, the facility’s pools and spas required a total overhaul to return them to their former glory while introducing modern high-performance materials.

Renovation Goals:
The primary objective was to update the aesthetics and structural integrity of two outdoor vessels, an indoor lap pool, and a spa, while maintaining their historic configurations.
Services Selected:
The resort utilized the INTER-GLASS® Surface System for outdoor vessels to stop structural cracking, alongside New Tile and Hydro-Blasting for comprehensive surface preparation.
Background:
A landmark for decades and a known retreat for President Truman, the hotel’s pool systems had fallen into deep disrepair, featuring leaking recirculation lines and peeling, structurally damaged surfaces.

Project History The Elms Hotel Spa

Project Specifications:

Project History The Elms Hotel Spa Page

Challenges Solved

Severe Structural Damage: Both outdoor vessels suffered from freeze/thaw damage and cracks so severe that one spa wall was freely draining water onto the sidewalk.
Failing Infrastructure: Recirculation lines were broken and leaking, and pool equipment rooms featured a "patch-quilt" of temporary PVC repairs that were completely gutted and replaced.
Aesthetic Degradation: Repeated painting had led to a badly peeling finish, while the outdoor therapy spa's grey concrete was showing through, making it appear constantly dirty.
Winter Logistics: Beginning work in early 2012, the team had to overcome the trying winter temperatures and precipitation to meet the strict completion schedule.

Special Considerations

UHP Hydro-Blasting: To ensure a sound concrete base, environmentally friendly Hydro-Blasting was used to strip away decades of failing paint and deteriorated concrete.
Polymeric Sealing: INTER-GLASS® was chosen for the outdoor pool to seal structural cracks permanently and avoid the "zebra-effect" where repair materials reflect through traditional cement surfaces.
Modernization & Compliance: All pools were brought up to VGB Compliance and converted to modern salt-generating chlorine sanitation systems.
Preservation Aesthetics: The project successfully integrated new features, such as a large glass-tiled Grotto spa and a new concrete cantilever with a non-skid textured finish, into the historic setting.

From Our Team

“The indoor pool and spa did not have structural issues. Aqua colored waterline tile and like colored Diamond Brite® was the material of choice on the indoor vessels.”

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The Elms Hotel & Spa | Excelsior Springs, MO

Project Outline

Project Specifications:

Challenges Solved

Special Considerations

From Our Team

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