From Worn Out to Welcoming

When Vista Pools was contacted about a residential pool renovation in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the assignment initially appeared routine. The company handles a steady volume of remodels alongside new construction, and the request fit that profile. Once owner Scott Bakkala arrived on-site, however, he learned the pool served the Tulsa Girls’ Home, a nonprofit that provides residential care for girls in foster care.

“They foster girls who don’t necessarily have a foster family, are at risk or have various reasons they can’t live in their biological home,” says co-owner, and Scott’s wife, JJ Bakkala.

Once Scott understood the organization’s mission, the renovation quickly became about more than updating a backyard pool.

“[Brittany, the director,] was telling me about the money they’re spending on the bedrooms to make more space for the girls and other [improvements],” Scott says.

The pool itself reflected years of deferred maintenance. The plaster was heavily worn, equipment had aged beyond reliable operation, and the installation no longer met modern safety standards. Vista Pools determined limited repairs would not be enough.

“This wasn’t something we could patch and walk away from,” JJ says. “If the pool was going to be used regularly, it needed a full renovation.”

The project included a complete chip-out and replaster, replacement of outdated equipment and upgrades to safety components throughout the pool. Premier Plaster handled the resurfacing, addressing substrate issues before applying the new finish. The entire equipment pad was replaced to improve circulation, reliability and ease of maintenance.

Crossville Studios also donated a range of tile options, allowing Tulsa Girls’ Home staff to review samples and choose materials.

As work progressed, additional partners joined. Handrails were donated by Jandy, while electrical work and other infrastructure needs were done through donated labor coordinated by Vista Pools. The renovation extended beyond the pool shell and equipment, improving the entire outdoor space.

“I was just really thankful,” Scott recalls. “I felt like our little pool community came together to do something that wasn’t necessarily in their best interest. They did it for someone else. Everybody was happy to be there and working.”

Concrete work was added to the property, including a new driveway, sidewalks and front patio to improve access and safety. Shaded spots around the pool were refreshed with new canopy materials, helping make the area usable during Oklahoma’s peak summer heat.

Once construction was complete, another issue became clear after conversations with staff. 

“We found out that these girls don’t know how to swim,” Scott says. “To me, that’s a life skill.”

With a newly renovated pool, water safety became an immediate priority.

“I was just really thankful. I felt like our little pool community came together to do something that wasn’t necessarily in their best interest. They did it for someone else. Everybody was happy to be there and working.”

Scott Bakkala, Vista Pools

Vista Pools already offers swim lessons to customers as part of its safety initiatives, and through a partnership with Katie Swim Academy, they brought lessons to the girls on-site.

The lessons continue as new residents arrive. Over time, the impact has gone beyond basic water safety. One girl, who initially clung to a life jacket at the start of summer because she could not swim, developed enough confidence to compete in both the 25-meter and 50-meter freestyle at the Special Olympics later that season.

“If you think about the situation for these girls, it’s just one less thing to feel insecure about,” Scott says. 

“We want to give them every opportunity for a good quality of life, and this is just a small way we can do it,” JJ adds.

For Vista Pools, that kind of outcome reinforces the importance of pairing construction work with follow-through.

“We build pools for a living,” Scott says. “But the way a pool is used — and whether people feel confident using it — matters just as much as how it’s built.”

Since the renovation, the Tulsa Girls’ Home has continued to expand its facilities.

“They’ve built two or three additional housing units on that property,” Scott says. “It’s just so cool what they’re doing.”

The pool has become a central feature during warmer months, serving both recreation and instruction.

From a technical standpoint, the project reflects a comprehensive renovation — resurfacing, equipment replacement, safety upgrades and site improvements — executed with the same standards applied to any residential or commercial job. “This is still a pool that has to operate correctly every day,” Scott says. “But it’s also part of someone’s daily life.”

The Tulsa Girls’ Home renovation illustrates how a well-planned remodel can extend beyond surface improvements. By addressing structural needs, modernizing equipment and supporting safe use through education, the project delivered a pool designed for long-term service — and real-world use — for years to come.