Room remodel: removing indoor pool

Need some advice. I have a property with an indoor in ground pool that needs to go. The room itself is 900 square feet and contains an in ground sylvan pool built in 1975. I want to empty the pool and then either span across the opening with standard framing , engineered beams, or steel beam to create one level floor in the room. The area below the floor joists can either be accessible or sealed. Pool is almond shaped and 19 x34 at it's widest points. Photo is attached.
1: Can you pool remain and be built over or does it need to be filled in?
2: Assuming the pool can remain which is the best choice-standard framing , engineered beams, or steel beams?
3: are there any specific code requirements that need to be observed regarding building over an indoor abandoned pool

 

1. Where are you located? In some areas (Florida) pools can float out of the ground if simply emptied because of the high water table which means you can't simply empty it.

2. Where do you need the finished floor to be? Easiest would be to run joists on top of the deck and across the pool but this will raise the floor 6, 8 or 10" above the current pool deck. More difficult is if you want beams IN the pool so the floor level is at about the same elevation as the deck now.

3. I would talk with my local building inspections department for what they would consider "proper". For example, if the pool is left in place and empty they may treat it like a crawl space and require a means of entry to the space.

 

Some communities have codes for removing pools, I seriously doubt you would legally be allowed to leave and build over something like that.

My father in law removed a pool many years ago, said it was the second happiest day of his life, happiest day was when the pool was installed!

 

Pilot Dane
It is located in Orange County, NY
Running on top of the pool seems to be the easiest solution. It's a 19 ft span at the widest opening. I was trying to preserve the height of the room which is A framed and 22 feet at it's peak. I'll check with the building inspector but almost afraid to ask as I doubt they have a lot of knowledge about indoor in ground pools as it's kind of rare. I expect they'll just give the standard answer which is to demo it and fill it in which would be unreasonably expensive. The pool walls are packed concrete not sprayed unite. I'm told it was built when men were men.

 

Yes.... that is correct.

My pool uses the same exact coping and tile. My pool was built by Sylvan in approx 1972. Anthony used Gunite. Sylvan used power shot concrete and I believe a plaster coating over it. Very similar methods.

 

Meanwhile, there are people who would willingly pay a premium for a house with a built-in pool...

If it were me, I'd spiff if up and hang out a "For Sale" sign!

Imagine how you will feel if you spend all that money to remove the pool, and then find out that people "love the house" and would buy it "if it only had an indoor pool in that nice room there..."

At least, I'd ask a realtor whether a pool is a plus or a minus in your area, if someday you needed to sell.

 

I Mullins
Yes I've been told that as well. Just exploring options. Unfortunately the humidity has done considerable damage to the roof. It was just replaced and I'd like to avoid the problem in the near future. I'm told it only takes 3 to 5 years for the damage to occur so I'm trying to explore all my options. Yes selling it is one of the options.