Welcome to the Gib-San SPLASH Newsletter! SPLASH newsletter is just one way we offer you more enjoyment from the pool, hot tub, BBQ grill, fireplace, and other products you've bought from us. SPLASH keeps you in touch with what is happening at Gib-San and the latest information on the products that help you care for your purchases and complement your lifestyle. We hope you enjoy it.

We are proud of our company and would like to share the latest developments at Gib-San in our ongoing pursuit of quality and professional personnel development.

Designer Jay Middleton was profiled as a Masters of Design in this year's special supplement to Pool & Spa News magazine, the leading publication for the pool and spa industry in the United States. Each year they portray the best designers in different categories from concrete and vinyl-lined pools to spas. Jay's recognition this time came with a creative spa setting. Jay is a Landscape Architecture graduate from Ryerson Polytechnic University and attended Ontario College of Art and Design for three years. He heads up the design team of five responsible for the many award-winning poolscapes entered in international competitions by Gib-San each year.

Gib-San Task Force building in Saskatchewan. Why is Gib-San involved in a large residential pool and landscape project in Saskatchewan you ask? Given the scale of this project, the regional Master Pools Builder referred Gib-San for this design/build project. Gib-San has the expertise for large remote-installations projects. The process is made easy - starting with a 3-D (three-dimension) presentation of a plan that owners can easily conceive, to having one point of responsibility and coordination to make it happen. ISO quality management systems encompass planning, materials logistics and project management - all critical for a remote project to go smoothly. The Gib-San Task Force flies in to do the job. According to Ed Gibbs, President of Gib-San, "Although the pool complex is a large project on its own ( 8m x 16m/26ft x 52ft with an adjacent 22m/70ft diameter pond), after seeing the proposal for the pool area the client wanted us to design and coordinate the overall landscaping for this 32 acre site."

Gib-San in new ideas book Gallery of Master Pools - Gib-San has several award-winning pools included in the newly printed Gallery of Master Pools, an 80 page glossy coffee-table book. This is a compendium of poolscape ideas created by the various members of the Master Pools Guild, of which Gib-San is a member. The Guild is a global network of over 100 elite custom pool builders who share techniques and technology in their commitment to build the finest pools in the world. If you would like a copy of this book for ideas for your new pool, contact the Gib-San Creation Centre at 416-253-9564, or info@gibsanpools.com.

Going Green - on track for Environmental ISO 14001 - After being the first residential pool company in the world to achieve ISO 9001 Quality Management certification, as well as OHSAS 18001:1999 Occupational Health and Safety certification, Gib-San is actively pursuing this third certification. This standard establishes systems on how a company operates to minimize harmful effects on the environment caused by its activities. Everything from the type of light bulbs being used in the office to the type of materials being used on the job-site is under the microscope in our effort to not only gain this ISO certification towards working greener, but to commit to living greener also.

"Creation Centre" to expand - This winter, the Gib-San Creation Centre will expand to include a miniaturized backyard poolscape complete with an operating pool, water falls, laminars, and hot tub. We'll be able to give your family a glimpse of what your poolscape could look like plus demonstrate just how easy it will be to operate. An integrated programmable and remote operating control system will be in place. A myriad of poolscape photo blowups and AV presentations are already there for you to review everything from pool shapes to water features. Even interior finish and decking materials samples are there to see and touch. A lot of decisions go into the design of your pool and landscaping, so the objective is to simplify the process with the assistance of the Creation Centre and our pool experts who guide and advise you all the way. Call for an appointment today.

Project Manager - David Bergstrome joined the Gib-San team bringing over 15 years of project management experience in both residential and commercial pool construction. Once a pool plan is agreed upon with the creation representative and design team, a Gib-San Project Manager coordinates the project through the build process. The Service team takes over at the end of the build to fine-tune the equipment and make sure you know how to operate everything. They will always be there for ongoing support thereafter.

Service Customer Care Team - We believe client communications is important so we have a special Customer Care team dedicated to coordinating the service work for you. When you have a question or need to change your service schedule you will be connected directly to them. Eric Rodrigues has recently been promoted to the Customer Care Team.

Employee training - As a part of Gib-San's commitment to continuing leadership training, twelve Gib-San managers will attend a management seminar "The Power Within" given by Anthony Robbins, one of the best motivational speakers and success coaches in corporate North America.

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Going Green with pool wall insulation - Gib-San is now installing insulation pool wrap on the walls of all new vinyl-lined pools they build as well as with replacement liner installations. This significantly reduces heat loss through the walls. Gib-San is committed to being a Green builder and encourages clients to install "Green" energy efficient equipment to be more environmentally friendly as well. Going Green helps us all!

Going Green with pumps - A favourite of Gib-San is the new technology Pentair/Sta-Rite IntelliPro pump, a variable-speed pump that can always find just the right pump speed for your application. If you have more than one pump and have waterfall features, there are significant savings to be had. In addition to energy conservation features that ensure that your filtration system is operating at peak efficiency, you will be amazed at how quiet it is too. Why not replace your aging pump today before it leaves you high and dry. Go quiet and green!

Remodeling your pool - Your pool is the focal point of your outdoor living environment. If your pool is twenty years old, the interior finish and deck will be tired and a ladder may be the only means of exiting the pool. A remodel will give your whole backyard an exiting new look. Imagine rock decking flowing from your outdoor kitchen to the pool and house patio area. How about walk-in steps and a sunning platform, or colour-changing indirect lighting, a sheer descent water feature or waterfalls. Step into the new generation of technology with more self-maintenance energy-efficient, integrated equipment with the convenience of remote controlled operating systems. Spoil yourself by investing in a backyard paradise that gives a return on your investment every day for years.

A pool for even the smallest of yards - Swim lengths in the smallest of yards with a custom swim-in-place pool. These attractive pools look like a small plunge pool, but come equipped with powerful jets that produce a current you can swim against. Or turn down the volume and enjoy a relaxing massage. Ask our pool experts about this solution for a small back yard.

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Conveniently all at one place

• Jacuzzi Hot Tubs
• BBQs & Gourmet Grills
• Fireplaces for inside and out
• Pool Care and Accessories

Hot Tubs by Jacuzzi

Master of Design winner - This hot tub nestled into a boulder setting was profiled in a special Masters of Design supplement of Pool & Spa News, the largest pool trade journal in the world. Gib-San designer Jay Middleton was profiled for his creative work in this issue that recognized North America's best pool and spa designers.

Come in and try a Jacuzzi hot tub - Ever wonder just how relaxing a hot tub can be? Come in and try one to find out why aqua-therapy is often recommended by the medical profession to reduce stress. We keep one of the most popular models ready for when you are. There is a wide range of models to suit every lifestyle and budget on display - or order a specific model and colour. We can even help you create the total relaxing landscape environment for it.

Keeping warm on the Patio - Not only does the Napoleon PatioFlame® add character to your patio, it keeps you warm so you can extend your season for outside enjoyment. The screen is optional. Or, how about a Napoleon patio heater that is a perfect complement to your hot tub or dining areas? It radiates heat up to 7m (20ft). Napoleon's copper and gun metal finishes are pre-coated over 304 stainless steel eliminating the possibility of rust.

Fireplace Centre

We've got the latest gas and electric fireplaces from Vermont Castings™ and Majestic™ working in a home-like setting to help you instantly visualize them in your own living areas - inside or out. Choose from classic, modern or antique mantels. Even your patio can be warmed with a gas insert, patio heater or firepit.

Two of the best brands of gourmet grills are here for you to compare. Select the model that best suits your needs and lifestyle.

Gib-San is an authorized dealer for Vermont Casting BBQs.
A beautiful, polished stainless steel lid marks this 5 burner grill as one of the most distinguished models around. Delivering superior flavor, outstanding heat retention, and remarkable efficiency, no other grill matches our cooking system. 600 square inches of primary cooking area and 230 square inches of secondary cooking space accommodates a full three-course meal and more. Double condiment trays, a 20,000 BTU Infra-Red Rotisserie Cooking System, Soft Touch back-lit dials and more, it's all here and ready to grill.

Gib-San is an authorized dealer for Napoleon Gourmet Grills. For the serious outdoor grill master consider the Napoleon US405RBI infrared gourmet grill that cooks in a similar way to glowing briquettes - emitting infrared energy to the food being cooked with very little drying effect. In each burner, 10,000 ports - each with its own tiny flame - cause the surface of the ceramic to glow red in a similar heat to briquettes. For instantaneous searing the burners can be set to high and then turned down for slower cooking - something that can't be done on a charcoal fire. Traditional burners heat the food by heating the surrounding air that then rises up to cook the food. This technique is fine for more delicate cuisines, but the Napoleon infrared burners produce a hotter heat for better searing of steaks and hamburgers. For more information come in and see us and compare.

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Try this Napoleon BBQ Recipe: Apple-Cranberry Pork Chops

Ingredients: 6 pork chops 3/4 cup (175 mL) honey 1/4 cup (50 mL) soy sauce 1 clove garlic, chopped pinch black pepper 2 cups (500 mL) cranberries 4 apples, cored, halved 1 orange peel, washed thoroughly 2 tbsp (30 mL) brown sugar 2 tbsp (30 mL) honey 1/4 (50 mL) cup sugar Directions: 1. Set pork chops in a shallow, covered dish. Mix 3/4 cup of honey with 1/4 soy sauce, garlic and black pepper and pour over pork chops. Close and allow to marinate in refrigerator for 2 hours. 2. Pre-heat gas grill to medium-high heat. Core and halve apples. 3. In a blender or food processor, mix cranberries, orange peel and honey until lumpy. 4. Roast apples on grill for 2 minutes per side. Cut into cubes and mix with cranberry sauce in a pan. Cook on a side-burner or range at low heat, gradually stirring in sugar. Let simmer 15 minutes. 5. Grill pork chops on medium-high heat, basting with the lighter portion of apple cranberry sauce, about 5 minutes per side. 6. Serve pork chops over apple-cranberry sauce with rice pilaf or other grain side. For ingredient details on this recipe, go here. For other recipes go to the Napoleon Grills website

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The more people using the hot tub, the more attention you need to give it. Here are some rules of thumb:

1) Check the water regularly (2-3 times per week)

• pH should be between 7.4 and 7.6
• Total alkalinity should be between 100 ppm and 140 ppm
• Sanitizer - This test is dependent on what you are using (chlorine, bromine, ozone ...)

2) Change the water 3 or 4 times a year ... typically late winter, mid-summer and late fall depending on usage pattern.

3) Filter should be cleaned every 2 weeks, washing it down and using SpaGuard Filter Brite every other time.

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"Delivering our clients' dreams"