Smith Turf Irrigation, Aquascape and several Certified Aquascape Contractors (CAC) were commissioned again by NASCAR legend Richard Petty to construct a 30-foot high waterfall at Victory Junction Gang Camp in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, the camp provides outdoor living experiences for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.
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John Sharp from Smith Turf Irrigation was instrumental in coordinating the build at Victory Junction.
“I attended the Aquascape and CAC pond build at Richard’s home earlier in the year, and remembered Richard and I had previously discussed a waterfall installation at the camp," Sharp says. "I asked Petty if he was still interested in the project and he agreed immediately.”
Sharp recruited Ed Beaulieu, Vice President of Field Research at Aquascape, Inc. to plan and execute the waterfall and stream construction. Approximately 40 Certified Aquascape Contractors were invited to participate under the leadership of Beaulieu. Surrounding rock excavated from the site during construction of the camp was used to create the almost 200-foot long stream and waterfalls. Aquascape’s Snorkel Vault and Centipede Module was incorporated to supply sufficient aeration and improve quality of the lake’s water where the children enjoy boating and fishing.
“This was an amazing waterfall build,” Beaulieu says. “I don’t think we could duplicate a water feature construction of this magnitude. Typically a job this size takes three to four weeks to complete and we managed to finish construction in just four days. There was an energy surrounding this project that I’ve not experienced before.”
CACs from the surrounding area paid a fee in order to work on the project, which was in turn donated to the camp. Smith Turf Irrigation matched the entry fee donation, and both Smith Turf and Aquascape donated all the materials for the Victory Junction waterfall construction.
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Certified Aquascape Contractors who participated in the waterfall construction at Victory Junction Camp included American Aquascapes of Burlington, N.C., Aquascapes of the Delaware Valley of Warrington, Pa., Cove Landscaping and Design of Union Mills, N.C., Creative Garden Spaces of Oak Ridge, N.C, Frontier Ponds of Union, Ill., John’s Ponds of Ft. White, Fla., Lifewater of Concord, NC, Modern Design Aquascaping of Friendsville, Tenn., My Pond Store of Reidsville, N.C., Nature’s Creations of Nolensville, Tenn., Pond Professors of Greensboro, N.C., Pondscapes of Charlotte of Matthews, N.C., Tranquil Waterscape Designs of Franklin, Tenn., Virginia Water Gardens of Fredericksburg, Va., Vought Water Gardens of Decatur, Ala., Water Garden Creations of Murrells Inlet, S.C., and Waterscapes Pro of Charlotte, N.C.
“The synergistic teamwork was incredible,” Beaulieu says. “Typically everyone has their own design ideas, but we kept our efforts focused on the vision provided by Richard. He came out to watch the waterfall construction that took place in the same location where he played as a child. Petty took time to talk to everyone there. It was obvious he appreciated our contribution that would ultimately benefit the experience of each child that attends Victory Junction Gang Camp.”
For more information on Aquascape’s the Certified Aquascape Contractor Program, or any of Aquascape’s products or programs, log onto www.aquascapeinc.com or call 866/877-6637 (U.S.) or 866/766-3426 (CAN).