Paddock Construction and Paddock Pool Equipment Company demonstrate how collaboration, quality and shared accountability drive successful aquatics projects for campus recreation users.
For construction firms operating in the aquatics recreation space, success often hinges on more than technical expertise. Timelines are tight, stakeholders are plentiful, and expectations around quality, durability and long-term performance continue to rise — particularly for projects serving campus rec.
For Paddock Construction Company, a long-standing partnership with Paddock Pool Equipment Company has become a strategic asset in navigating those pressures.
Paddock Construction, a nationally recognized aquatics builder, has worked alongside Paddock Pool Equipment Company for more than 50 years. While the two organizations once shared a common owner, they now operate as fully independent, employee-owned companies. Despite the structural shift, the partnership has endured and evolved into a model rooted in collaboration, shared accountability and a mutual commitment to project legacy.
Operational Alignment and Business Value
“Working with Paddock Construction has been a unique and rewarding partnership,” said Samantha Sperduto, the Southeast regional account executive at Paddock Pool Equipment Company. “As former sister companies, Paddock Pool Equipment and Paddock Construction share a long-standing relationship reflecting decades of shared growth and collaboration.”
For Paddock Construction, the decision to continue partnering with Paddock Pool Equipment has been driven by both operational and end-user considerations.
On the business side, Joe Sandy, the vice president and managing partner of Paddock Construction Company, cited efficiencies created by the depth and longevity of the relationship.
“Because of our long-standing relationship with Paddock Pool Equipment and the amount of business we bring them, we’re eligible for certain discounts,” he said.
More importantly for clients — which include YMCAs, municipal facilities and campus rec centers — the partnership supports consistent quality and performance in highly visible aquatics spaces.
“Paddock Pool Equipment leads the market in American-made products for the swimming pool industry,” said Sandy. “Their products are superior to those of other manufacturers.”
The emphasis on American-made equipment, durability and responsiveness aligns with what many campus rec leaders prioritize when planning capital projects intended to serve students for decades. According to Sperduto, Paddock Pool Equipment’s role extends beyond supplying components to actively supporting the builder and broader project team.
From Manufacturer to Project Advocate
“Much like Paddock Construction, every relationship is treated as a true partnership, with a shared focus on the legacy we’re building through each project,” she said.
She described advocacy as central to that approach.
“Strong partnerships start with advocating for the customer, which for us means understanding their perspective, recognizing gaps or opportunities and identifying how Paddock Pool Equipment can best support those needs,” said Sperduto. “Being an advocate and supporting our customers also means communicating openly, offering practical guidance and helping them make informed decisions that keep the process moving smoothly.”
The hands-on involvement has proven critical on complex, fast-moving projects — a reality familiar to many campus recreation administrators overseeing aquatic facility development or renovation.
“This solution helps by providing a manufacturer who not only offers the right products but also understands the project as a whole and can work alongside the builder, or even with the designer early on, to fill gaps and keep things moving,” said Sperduto. “A hands-on, collaborative approach ensures projects run efficiently and meet high-quality standards.”
Scaling Up for Complex, Multi-Body Aquatics Projects
Recent projects underscore how that collaboration plays out in practice. Paddock Construction recently completed the Harrisburg YMCA in Harrisburg, North Carolina — a project Sandy described as “high-profile” and “fast-moving.”
“This project was a high-profile, fast-moving project that needed equipment on schedule,” said Sandy. “PPEC exceeded expectations and delivered earlier than expected.”
Looking ahead, the partnership is also supporting a large-scale, multi-water-body development in Summerville, South Carolina. “We are also building a monster project in Summerville, SC, at Summers Corner,” said Sandy. “The project features five bodies of water with over 60,000 square feet of water.”
The project incorporates advanced filtration and stainless-steel infrastructure — elements increasingly relevant for recreation professionals focused on operational efficiency and lifecycle costs.
Beyond products and performance, both parties highlighted the human dimension of the partnership as a differentiator. This insight may resonate with campus rec leaders balancing vendor relationships with long-term institutional goals.
“A lot of us have become friends outside of work,” said Sandy. “We try to get together monthly for a few hours to discuss life and business.”
This relational foundation, combined with operational improvements, has reinforced trust over time.
“Their processes have gotten better, as well as their lead times,” said Sandy. “Their quality American-made products are far better, and they take care of warranty items without hesitation.”
For campus and community rec professionals, the takeaway is clear: successful aquatics projects depend on partners who understand not only equipment specifications, but also project dynamics, user needs and long-term impact.
In an environment where facilities are expected to serve as community hubs and recruitment tools, partnerships like this one offer a blueprint for aligning builders, manufacturers and rec leaders around shared outcomes — and shared ownership of the results.
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