| Starting
in 1953, Bill and Barb Chandler were very busy
running Bogus Basin lodge during the winter months.
They eventually put in 19 years serving the Basin
Burger for only $1.00. But that was winter…
Custom Pools
& Patio was formed in 1957 by Bill & Barbara
Chandler. The company was originally known as
Swim, Inc. building 2 vinyl pools that first year.
In 1959, Custom
Pools, Inc operated out of a trailer. Next to
that trailer at the corner of Roosevelt and Kootenai
was an office and dressing room. Barb instructed
swimming lessons. Many know Barbara Chandler as
the First Woman of Idaho Tennis. Barb was the
1946 National U.S. Women’s Clay Court &
National Junior Hard Court Champion! She held
the Idaho Singles, Doubles, & Mixed Championships
for 15 years & the Intermountain Singles,
Doubles & Mixed Championships for nine years.
She was inducted into the Worlds Sports Humanitarian
Hall of Fame.
That year was
when Bill sold his first gunite
pool! Customers Jerry & Gladys Shoup entrusted
their souls to Bill for $1800. Bill said to himself;
“he’s a damned fool, I’ve never
built a gunite pool before.” But he took
the $1800.
 The
photo to the left was taken in June of 2004, and
represents his first creation of 45 years ago.
Gladys owned the home and pool until she moved
to Los Angeles in 2002.
In 1962, Custom
Pools, Inc moved to Redway Street, then in 1970
to the Warehouse location on Osage.
Bill and Barb
officially retired in 1989 when Steve expanded
the company with a retail location at 4048 Chinden
Blvd. Retail, service, and administrative offices
were all located on the first floor. Then in 2000,
Lorie and Steve totally re-designed the lower
level and the administrative & service departments
were moved to the second level.
And
we’re still riding that WAVE…
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