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Want to unlock bigger opportunities? Expand your craft with commercial pool construction.
Commercial projects like pools, spas, and waterparks demand a higher level of expertise due to their scale and regulatory requirements, presenting an opportunity for increased profits. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills or expand into new areas, this course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools for success.
You’re eligible to earn professional certification
Certified Watershape Professional (CWP)
This industry-recognized certification validates your expertise needed to run a top-tier design/build firm, creating complex and intricate pools, spas, and waterscapes with confidence and precision.
Earn the CWP by completing 3 courses (including this one). You must also be a certified CWF, CWB, and CWD.
Skills for you to unlock
Effective project development
Learn to navigate programming, concept design, and critical standards such as ADA and MAHC.
Manage your budget and revenue with confidence
Find the balance between construction costs, ongoing expenses, and revenue to achieve optimal project outcomes.
Build commercial expertise
Explore the unique phases and requirements of commercial design and construction.
Essentials for contractors
Get insights into specifications, construction management, cash flow strategies, project delivery, and much more.
Why should you attend?
This course dives deep into the specialized knowledge and skills needed to successfully design and build commercial pools, spas, and water features — projects that demand higher standards, stricter codes, and more complex engineering than residential work. You’ll learn to navigate the unique phases of commercial construction, from initial planning and permitting to advanced hydraulic design and finish specifications. By mastering these critical concepts, you’ll not only expand your technical expertise but also open doors to bigger projects, stronger business growth, and a reputation as a true leader in the industry.
Attending WU’s CONSTRUCTION C4113: Advanced Watershape Construction — Commercial course is a smart investment for any pool builder or designer looking to elevate their career.
A course to benefit all in the industry
Pool Builders: looking to expand into commercial projects
Watershape Designers: wanting to specialize in large-scale designs
Construction Project Managers: overseeing commercial aquatic projects
Landscape Architects: involved in designing resort, hotel, or public water features
General Contractors: seeking to add commercial pools to their service offerings
Commercial Pool Maintenance Professionals: wanting deeper construction knowledge
Business Owners: seeking new growth opportunities in the pool industry
Instructors - Connect with industry experts
Bill Drakeley, ACI, IWI
William Drakeley is principal and founder of Drakeley Pool Company, a New England-based luxury design and build custom watershaping firm; and, Drakeley Industries, an international consulting firm focusing on shotcrete applications and techniques. He is an award-winning shotcrete technologist specializing in concrete science and construction, particularly shotcrete applications, techniques and standards. He has thirty-plus years of experience in shotcrete installation, watershape geotechnical design and detailed custom construction—services include consultation and review, training and testing and expert testimony. As an educator and advocate for the highest industry standards, Bill is co-founder of Watershape University (WU), an industry-leading education provider of the highest quality live instruction covering business, design, engineering and construction—reaching students at all levels of pool, spa, aquatics and outdoor living sectors. He has conducted training for the Colorado School of Mines, the American Society of Landscape Architects, World of Concrete, NESPA Pool Show, and most notably for the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority underground tunneling projects. His technical writing has been widely published in trade magazines and e-publications. Bill is chairman of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Swimming Pool Shotcrete Committee, which in 2024 published the country’s first legal document for proper pool shotcrete protocol, ACI PRC-506.8-24. He is also a connoisseur of fine wine and a recent winery co-owner.
Scott Hester, P.E.
Scott Hester is a licensed Professional Engineer with a degree in Civil Engineering from Southern Illinois University. With 30 years of professional experience, he has been an active leader in planning, design and operational support of commercial aquatic facilities.
Scott spent 25 years with the aquatic planning and design firm Counsilman-Hunsaker, where he served as a partner for 20 years and as President for 11 years. During his tenure, he led project planning, engineering and management on a wide range of aquatic facility projects across North America and internationally, while also providing strategic corporate leadership. Scott was actively involved in projects within the municipal, K-12, higher education, hospitality, resort, therapy and wellness spaces. He also provided leadership and support to industry associations and organizations such as USA Swimming and World Aquatics (formerly FINA).
Currently, Scott is a founding member and managing partner of HydroApps, a cloud-based digital documentation platform designed to support the daily operations of commercial aquatic facilities. HydroApps provides a digital platform for documenting daily risk assessments, operational tasks, staff scheduling and asset management that is designed to lower risk, reduce costs, and enhance safety for commercial aquatic facilities. Through this work Scott continues to shape the aquatic industry through innovative solutions and a deep commitment to operational excellence. In addition to Scott’s role in aquatic facility planning, design and operations, he is a recognized business leader and active member of his community, serving on numerous local boards and advisory groups. Additionally,
Scott spent 7 years as a group member of Vistage, which is a global executive coaching and peer advisory group for CEO’s and business leaders, and was awarded the Vistage Leadership Award which recognizes a members enduring excellence in leadership and highlighting their impactful decisions and contributions.
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