The pool installation was first. A mini-excavator was used. It's a miniature version of a normal excavator but has rubber tracks to minimize turf damage. It'll fit in the tightest of places and turn on a dime. As soon as the digging started, so did the rain. Excavation was finally completed, then several tons of sand was hauled around back, one wheelbarrow load at a time. The next morning, the pool installers showed up, started the install and it started to rain again. The install ended when the liner, now cold and stiff, refused to relax and go in without wrinkles. They'll try again tomorrow... Hey, the sun's shining! The liner goes in smoothly and the water truck shows up and starts pumping it's 10,000 gallon load into the new pool. Then I noticed a "wet spot" in the sand that surrounds the pool wall, Oh No, the liners leaking!!! Stop everything! Confirmed a leaking seam and begin pumping all the water back into the truck. Why me?! The liner was replaced and the whole process started over again. Finally, it's up! The pool heater and underground gas pipe installation followed and went without a hitch. I plumbed the pump/filter piping to the heater, fired it up and brought the water up to about 92 degrees. Ahhhhhhh, it feels good... Next, build the deck. 
The pool is in full sun most of the day.
The shallow half of the pool is 3 1/2' deep, the other end was excavated to 5 1/2'.
Sand is poured into the plastic hand rails following assembly to act as ballast to keep the steps from floating up. They need to be removed and drained each Autumn before closing the pool and are a great improvement over the ladder that came with the pool.
Our nephew and his girlfriend cooling off on a hot summer afternoon.
Grandson #2
Grandson #1, The "Kiddy Float" is definitely overloaded!
Grandson #3 and his NaNa.
