Hello there! My name is Julie Dugan and I work for Cherry Hill Pool & Spa - we install Viking, CPC, Crystal Palace and Liberty Pools. I would be more than happy to speak with you at your convenience and help you with your swimming pool project.
I live in Portsmouth, RI and plan on installing a Viking pool at my home within two years (Need to build my second floor first, otherwise pool would have already been installed) Yes, I sell these pools, but I am also the client care rep for Cherry Hill and have personally gone to the home of every client we have, photographed their pool and spoken with them about their experience. The testimonial page of our website (http://www.CherryHillPool.com/testimonials.html) is very telling and something our company is most proud of.
To answer your question about the In-Floor - 99% of our clients choose that option. Yes, it is pricey, but in our client's words, not mine, it's the best decision they made...it makes their pool NO MAINTENANCE.
In terms of your project, I would like to speak with you about what you envision your backyard to be. In terms of Social/recreation/fitness. I would like to help you.
I spent all weekend at the Rhode Island Convention Center working the home show for Cherry Hill. One of my clients (http://www.cherryhillpool.com/gallery/pages/rennard.html) came by to say hello. This pool was installed in 2004 and they showed pictures of the projects they just completed: Enclosed kitchen and dining area, fireplace, TV, and more. (I will add those images to their slide show this week). But the greatest joy I had was listening to them talk to someone considering a Viking pool. They spent 30 minutes talking to complete strangers sharing their love of the pool (Viking Laguna model) and how positive their experience has been with Cherry Hill.
We are not perfect, but we work REALLY REALLY hard to exceed our customers expectations. We believe in our pools, we stand by our work and at the end know we did our very best.
Renovating your backyard is no different to renovating your kitchen or any other important room in your home. It's is a big project.
If you would like to speak to me, my number is 401-487-9773 (cell) 508-248-0048 is my office. Good luck with your project and if I can be of any service, please let me know.