Local contractor selected to build water garden at Epcot
Most people have been to Epcot and seen the beautiful flowers, plants and viewed the replications of different countries. But what a lot of people don't know is that Epcot hosts the annual international flower and garden festival. Every year Epcot seeks out large companies to help with the installation of various displays. The displays are installed in March just before the festival officially opens and removed in June after the festival closes. The festival dates for this year are from April 15 to June 5, 2005.
Because of the interest in water gardens nationwide and around the world Epcot desired to have a water garden on display for the festival. As we all know when Epcot displays something it has to be perfect. In this case the water garden would have to be low maintenance, have crystal-clear water, a beautiful waterfall and be in harmony with Mother Nature. In order to achieve this goal they would have to create an ecosystem, meaning the proper amount of plants, fish, rocks, gravel and filtration. For this task they called upon the expertise of Aquascape Designs Inc. of Batavia Illinois, the largest manufacturer of water garden products in the United States, to plan, design and oversee the construction of the water garden display. And Aquascape gladly accepted the challenge.
The most important decision Ed had to make was selecting an installation company capable of creating and installing a water garden Epcot would be proud of. With over 40,000 Aquascape installers nationwide to choose from, Ed had to choose one. To try to narrow down the field Ed would have to look at this like a homeowner, and ask questions that a homeowner should ask.
Who is qualified? Ed said a homeowner should look for a contractor who has had proper training and instructions on assembling the manufactured filters, pumps and creating an ecosystem. A Certified Aquascape Contractor (CAC) is trained by the manufacturer for proper installation of water gardens.
Who has the experience? The last thing a homeowner wants is a contractor who is experimenting on their water garden. And Ed was no exception, he wanted a contractor who has installed hundreds of water gardens.
Who is the most reputable? As a homeowner you may need to ask friends and neighbors and relatives or possibly other businesses or contact the Better Business Bureau to find out the reputation of a contractor, but for Ed it was much easier, seeing that Ed works for Aquascape designs the manufacturer and supplier of most water garden contractors, he just looked in the files and picked a contractor who has never had a dissatisfied customer call in and complain.
Who has a crew large enough to complete the job and adequate length of time? With Epcot there was a three day window of opportunity in which to install a water garden involving 30 tons of rocks and gravel. Most homeowners do not have those types of time constraints, but still as a homeowner you do not want to see crews in your backyard for weeks or worse yet months.
Who has a full-time maintenance department? If Epcot called with a pump problem, warranty work or just questions about the ecosystem, Ed needed to know it would be handled immediately.
Who carries liability insurance and workman compensation insurance? Homeowners should always protect themselves from unfortunate mishaps. It may cost a little bit more but it's cheaper than the alternative. Nobody plans on an accident happening, but if it does it is important that the homeowner protect himself and his home. Epcot needed the same protection.
Some other considerations that Ed had, was who could deliver a large variety of aquatic plans in beautiful shape and ready for display? Who could coordinate the delivery of rocks, gravel and materials at Epcot for the job? And last but not least, who had the knowledge to speak on behalf of Aquascape Designs at the "tips from the pros" seminar every weekend during the festival.
After answering all these questions one company stood out above all others Nature Coast Aquascape Inc., located in Floral City, Florida was selected as the clear choice for this task.
On March 21, 2005 Ed and the CAC directors came to Florida and worked side-by-side with Nature Coast Aquascape's crew to install a beautiful water garden at Epcot. The water garden is located beside the Racetrack in front of the Space Center, in a section formerly used for a smoking area. The water garden is roughly 20 X 25 with a meandering stream with a total of 30 tons of rocks and gravel used. The boulders, some as large as a ton, construct a beautiful waterfall cascading over the existing wall. Over 300 plants have been added and 25 beautiful Koi complete this ecosystem. One of the challenges to this project was that it all had to be elevated to allow rainwater to pass underneath the water garden to the existing drain.
As this picture shows, Ed selected the right contractor for the job!!!
If you have been thinking about adding a water garden to your backyard paradise call Nature Coast Aquascape Inc. 352-637-9004 located at 7430 South Florida Ave., Floral City, FL 34436. Mention this article and receive $500 off your installation of a custom water garden.
