For Immediate Release For More Information Contact:

September 28, 2007 Brad Cooper

Phone: (203) 994-5712

Email: Brad@CooperMulch.com

Local Contractor Leaves His Mark on Water Garden History

Savannah, GA - Paradigm shifts occur infrequently at best. But to actually be on hand when the shift is taking place could easily qualify as a once in a lifetime experience. Such was the case last week when Brad Cooper (Cooper's of Danbury, CT) and his crew chose to participate in an event called "Pondstruction 2007," held at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah Georgia.

How did this represent a paradigm shift in the pond industry? In the words of Cooper, "This year's Pondstruction marked the very first time that water garden installers & koi pond builders rolled up their sleeves and worked shoulder to shoulder in order to build a "hybridized" pond that would be acceptable for both sides of the industry."

Kent Wallace (Las Vegas) led the charge on the Koi side of the event, showing attendees how to successfully install bottom drains and settling tanks commonly found in Koi ponds. On the other hand, Eric Triplett of Exotic Aquatics in Redlands, CA, led the charge for the water garden side, demonstrating how to successfully install skimmers, biological filters/waterfalls--in the same pond! And, Savio's Rick Bartel bridged the gap by explaining the role of rock placement in pond composition.

But there was a lot more. In a highly politicized industry that historically models itself after the Hatfields and the McCoys, the Pondstruction drew participants from rival gangs variously known as the CAC's, the IPPCA's, the NAPP's and the sponsoring group known as the ILA's.

"It was a unique event where everyone was respectful of everyone else's orientation to pond building, and nobody was dictating only one way to build ponds. The result was a group of over fifty hard working pond pros working together and learning to appreciate the other pro's point of view. It was a liberating breath of fresh air," Cooper added. "And I thank my lucky stars that we were part of this history making event. My company benefited tremendously."

"Working alongside industry celebrities like Wallace, Triplett, and Bartel also gave everyone learning opportunities that you just can't find anywhere else," said fellow participant Mike Garcia of Enviroscapes in Los Angeles, CA. "This experience will help us put smiles on the faces of customers every time we install a pond."

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