Pool renovation project is moving along at the Bay!

by Brian K. Anderson | January 13, 2026

The sounds of progress echoed through the windows in the executive boardroom as construction crews continued to demo the concrete around the pool area.

Those same crews then got the demolition materials out of the pool area and by the next day were bringing in new concrete to keep the pace of the project moving.

Thankfully the resort front desk staff made sure to give guests advance notice of the project, which is expected to be completed January 25th.

“We are planning to accomplish this in 20 days to avoid further disruptions for our guests,” said Maintenance HVAC Technician Seth Riihiluoma. “It is a tight timeline, but we have a plan in place. We will work the plan and get it done. If unforeseen things do not arise, it will certainly be done on time.”

Yes, there will be some growing pains associated with the project, but in the end, it will be well worth the temporary inconvenience.

“This was a long time in the making,” said General Manager Elizabeth “EJ” Deegan of the project, which carries a price tag of nearly $118,000. “The crews got off to a fast start earlier this week and we’re confident they’ll meet the deadline.”

Fortune Bay’s maintenance crew did a lot of prep work prior to contractors coming in to do the demolition.

Leading up to the start of the renovation, the resort front desk staff, along with our sales team, reminded guests and incoming groups, that the amenity would not be available from January 5th through the 25th.

“I think being proactive like that helps because guests won’t be surprised to know this project is going on when they check in,” said Deegan.

Riihiluoma said the extensive project has three phases. He said the first phase entails installing a new drainage system as the old one did not perform as it should.

“It left standing water in many areas of the floor,” explained Riihiluoma. “We are cutting 36" wide portions of concrete around our surface drainage area. This is to create a downward slope toward the new wider drains. This will eliminate many issues we had with the pooling water deteriorating our old floor.”

Stage two will involve installing new equipment, including new heaters for the pool and spa, as well as new chemical feeders to keep the pool water the highest quality it can be.

“A new Kuuma sauna stove with an updated look will be added as well, along with a few other nice finishing touches to that area,” said Riihiluoma.

The third stage will include a new floor coating, which Riihiluoma said will add a modern, updated and cleaner look to the whole pool area.

“The company will do this in a way that creates a custom floor that only we will have,” he said. “They will adapt it to the condition of our concrete; this will provide a longer lasting and more easily fixed surface area.”

Like Riihiluoma, Director of Hospitality Rebecca Stahl said this was a project definitely overdue.

“The current decking was very chipped,” said Stahl, who thanked her front desk manager Bridgette Burr for her “behind-the-scenes” work in getting her staff to remind guests of the project. “Maintenance gave their best effort to limp it along, but it just wasn't repairable anymore. It was NOT appealing to the guests either. I can’t wait to see the finished product as our pool area has always been a great amenity for us.”