HISTORY

Paul Moritz, Sr. began his work building swimming pools in 1954. He worked in the Berkshire Tri-State area for the Berkshire Engineering Company, then owned and operated by William Barrett. There he constructed houses, swimming pools, and did general construction, giving him a broad base of experience.

In 1958, he took a management position with the E.L. Wagner Swimming Pool Company of Darien, CT. The Wagner Company was founded in 1919 and was one of the oldest and most prestigious swimming pool companies in America. Mr. Moritz managed a branch office in Suffield, CT. There he oversaw for them the construction of hundreds of swimming pools throughout New England. Many pools in Bar Harbour, Fisher's Island, and the Berkshires were built during his twenty years of service with them. Numerous customers were well-known, high profile figures, including Rockefellers, Saltonstalls, John Watson, and others.

In 1973, the Suffield branch office was consolidated with the main office in Darien. Paul chose to begin his own company in the Tri-state area, opening an office in Lakeville, CT. under the name of Wagner of Berkshire Valley, Inc. This company was primarily a service company, although the E.L. Wagner Company continued to build pools in the area. Paul acted as a sales agent and supervisor in these projects.

John Moritz began working for his father in Suffield, CT, when he was 16 years old. Along with two of his brothers, he began working summers and holidays doing both service and construction. After graduating from college in 1979, and being newly married, he chose the swimming pool business as his career. He joined his father in the Berkshires and began to develop the construction aspect of the business. Freeform pool construction and natural pool designs were his interests and became his forte. Waterfalls and spas were also introduced into the pool environments, along with new technologies and products. The construction of pools was now done entirely by Wagner of Berkshire Valley, Inc., and the E.L. Wagner Company was paid for the use of the Wagner name and for engineering assistance.

In 1990, Paul Moritz Sr. passed the mantle to son John, who became the new president. The teacher had done well. From 1990 to present, the business more than doubled. Today over 300 pools have been constructed and the service business has continued to flourish.

In the year 2000, the Company changed its name to Aquatic Designs, Inc. It is no longer affiliated with the E.L. Wagner Company, although the "Wagner Pools" that have been built are still part of Aquatic Designs, Inc. The commitment to excellence and innovation continues on in this new century.

Our office and warehouse are located at 241 Main Street, Sheffield, Massachusetts. We have added new staff and in 1999, Paul F. Moritz, Jr. was hired to be the new construction manager. At 84, Paul Moritz, Sr. is still active and working. Over 50 years of pool excellence
continues.