Hamilton homeowners making a splash on pool-sharing platform
A pool-sharing platform that allows users to rent private swimming pools by the hour is making a splash in Hamilton.
Swimply, headquartered in California, is an online booking app that's similar to Airbnb. Backyard pools are listed on their service and hosts decide on the rate, said Sonny Mayugba, the company's vice-president of development.
The platform launched three years ago and operates in the United States, Canada and Australia. And there are dozens of hosts in the Hamilton area, as per the platform's listing service.
You could take a dip in a backyard oasis" in Dundas, float the day away in a saltwater pool in Burlington or splash around with friends in a piece of paradise" in Westdale.
In your own neighbourhood, you can book a pool a (kilometre) away, go there and swim for a few hours and jam on home," said Mayugba.
Some hosts charge between $40 and $100 an hour - but it all depends on what they're offering, said Mayugba.
The cost for your swim could differ based on amenities, such as the availability of poolside loungers, floating unicorns or an outdoor entertaining area.
For example, a saltwater pool for rent on the Hamilton Mountain has an outdoor table, lounge chairs and an umbrella, as per its listing. It also has night lighting, a water slide and a large shallow area.
We have all different shapes and sizes - we have very simple above ground pools, all the way to these incredibly luxurious estates that you can book," he said. It's like Airbnb in that way."
To list a pool, Mayugba said hosts have to go through an onboarding process that includes vetting the pool and location, conducting a background check on the host and putting together a listing.
Pools listed on the platform must be safe, clean and well-maintained," said Mayugba. On their website, they also encourage homeowners to have first aid kits, life jackets, life preservers and reaching poles available.
As for safety and liability concerns for pool owners, Mayugba said North American hosts are eligible for up to $1 million in coverage in case of injury and up to $10,000 for property damage through Swimply.
But why do people put their pools up for rent?
Mayugba said some hosts sign up for the platform to turn their backyards into revenue centres" to help maintain their property and keep their pools from sitting underused."
There is also a sense of community within the platform, as hosts will often have repeat customers and befriend their guests, he said.
-With files from The Canadian Press
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com