Inside the Indoor Pool in Iowa That Won Imagine Pools’ Pool of the Month

Iowa gives you about twelve good pool weeks a year. That math stops a lot of central Iowa homeowners before they ever get a quote, because a six-figure project that sits under a cover for nine months is a tough sell. An indoor pool in Iowa changes the math entirely, and a family near Stratford proved it.

WCI Pools and Spas installed an Imagine Pools Exquisite 40 inside a standalone pool building on their property, and the manufacturer named it the July 2026 Pool of the Month. Here is how the project came together, from the order of construction to the equipment that keeps it running through a January cold snap.

Can You Swim Year-Round in Iowa?

Yes. An indoor pool with its own heating, ventilation, and dehumidification lets you swim in Iowa twelve months a year. The enclosure keeps snow, wind, and cold air off the water, so the pool holds its temperature on the coldest days of the season.

That was the whole point of the Stratford project. Dave Jurgens, owner of WCI Pools and Spas, said the homeowners came in with one goal. “They wanted to be able to use the pool year-round. That was their intention, honestly,” Jurgens said.

A Country Property Built Around One Goal

The property sits in the timber outside Stratford. The pool building stands on its own, roughly 50 to 60 yards from the main house, and the pool and surrounding deck stretch toward 70 feet. Walk in during February and you get a private resort with a view of the woods.

Why the Pool Went In Before the Building

The build sequence is the most interesting part of this job, and it is the detail that most people planning an indoor pool never think about.

The foundation went in first. WCI then excavated and set the pool while the site was still open, and the family swam in it as an outdoor pool for a short stretch. Once framing started, the finished pool needed protection from everything that comes with putting up a roof and walls.

“We couldn’t get the pool in there once the structure was up, so a false floor went over the entire pool,” Jurgens explained. “It protected everything while the roof and walls went up, and once the building was roughed in, we pulled the false floor, and there it was.”

A one-piece fiberglass shell arrives on a truck and gets set by crane, so it has to go in while the site is open overhead. Planning that order with the building contractor from day one is what keeps the pool safe and the schedule on track.

The Exquisite 40 in Reef Blue

The homeowners chose The Exquisite 40 in Reef Blue. The design combines a full swim channel with an incorporated hot tub, so the family can swim laps and soak without leaving the water or the building. S.R. Smith artisan handrails give the entry a sculptural look that stands apart from a standard rail, and color-changing LED lighting under the water sets the mood for evening swims.

The pool runs on full chemical automation instead of saltwater, and the homeowners manage it from their phones.

If you are weighing an indoor fiberglass pool for your own property, browse the inground pool models WCI installs to see the shapes and sizes that fit inside a pool building.

Two Equipment Sets Keep the Spa Hot Around the Clock

Most pool-and-spa combinations share equipment via a spillover design. This one doesn’t. The hot tub is incorporated into the pool, and it has its own filtration, heating, and automation, completely separate from the pool.

“There are two full sets of equipment and automation,” Jurgens said. “So, they can have the pool at one temperature and the hot tub at another, all the time.”

The spa stays at soaking temperature 24 hours a day, while the pool sits at whatever temperature suits a swim. Most homeowners don’t know this setup is possible until they see it, and in an Iowa winter it makes a noticeable difference in how often the spa gets used.

What Does an Indoor Pool Need?

An indoor pool in a cold climate needs ventilation and dehumidification, independent heating for the pool and spa, a construction sequence that protects the pool during construction, and automation to manage water chemistry. Humidity control matters most because an enclosed pool releases moisture into the room throughout the day.

Jurgens noted that a well-planned ventilation system keeps humidity in check at the Stratford build. Without one, moisture condenses on windows, ceilings and framing, and the damage shows up in the structure long before anyone sees it in the water. Ventilation gets designed alongside the building from the first drawing, well before anyone picks a tile color.

A Pool Building Designed for Entire Days

The family can spend an entire day out there. The building includes a kitchenette with a sink and fridge, plus a full bathroom, so nobody has to trek back to the house for lunch or a towel. WCI also built a sauna into the space.

A large garage door opens the room to the outdoors in summer. When the weather turns, it closes, and the space stays warm and comfortable through the Iowa winter.

What WCI Builds and Who Handles the Structure

WCI self-performs the pool installation, the sauna, the pull-away coping and the deck tile. Pull-away coping is formed and poured right up to the pool, then pulled away to leave a clean, finished edge.

For the building itself, WCI works with a trusted network of contractors it regularly refers customers to on indoor projects. You get one team responsible for everything wet and a proven builder for the structure, with both working from the same schedule. After the build, WCI’s pool service team can keep the equipment and water chemistry dialed in.

Frequently Asked Questions About Indoor Pools in Iowa

How much does an indoor pool cost in Iowa?

Indoor pool cost depends mostly on the building. The pool, spa and finish work are a known range, while the structure, ventilation and HVAC vary with size and finishes. WCI prices the pool side at your consultation and connects you with contractors to price the building.

Is an indoor fiberglass pool a good fit for Iowa?

Yes. A fiberglass shell installs quickly, which matters when the pool has to go in before the walls go up. Its smooth surface also makes water chemistry easier to manage with automation.

Should I choose a swim spa or an indoor pool?

A swim spa costs less and fits a smaller footprint, and it works well for exercise and therapy. An indoor pool gives you a full swim channel, a separate hot tub and a room the whole family can use at once. The right answer depends on how many people will use it and how you want to swim.

Does WCI build the pool building?

WCI builds the pool, spa, sauna, coping and deck. For the structure, WCI refers customers to contractors it has worked with on projects like the Stratford build.

Can I use a hot tub in winter without an indoor building?

Yes, and plenty of Iowa homeowners do. Our cold-weather hot tub guide covers how to keep an outdoor spa running through winter.

A Family Business Heading Into Its 50th Year

Jurgens’s parents started WCI Pools and Spas in 1977, and the company reaches its 50th anniversary in 2027. Dave now runs the business with his brother-in-law, Chad Higgins, out of showrooms in Ames and Urbandale.

“This is a company my folks started back in 1977. I was about five years old, and it’s just kind of been in my blood ever since,” Jurgens said.

As for the Stratford family, Jurgens put it simply. “We are happy with how it turned out, and honestly the customers are just tickled pink. They absolutely love it.”

If you are looking for an indoor pool builder near Des Moines or in Ames, Iowa, start with a conversation. Book an indoor pool consultation at our Ames showroom or Urbandale showroom, and bring your property plans. We’ll walk you through the build sequence, the equipment, and the contractors who can put a roof over your pool.