BILCO manufactured 16 floor doors that allow access to mechanical equipment for an elaborate aquatic project in Arizona. The backyard fantasyland in Paradise Valley, completed over three years by Red Rock Design Build, includes a shark tank, lazy river, multiple pools, water slides and more. The overwhelming scope of the project necessitated the involvement of consultants, mechanical and structural engineers, electricians, general contractors and landscapers.
Floor doors of various sizes allow access to pumps and other equipment for maintenance, repair and replacement. Most of the doors in the project accept architectural flooring to blend into the natural landscape. Red Rock installed a synthetic lawn and small amounts of gravel so that the doors blend into the natural landscape. “We’ve used BILCO for dozens of projects, both for commercial and residential jobs,’’ Rick Chafey, co-owner of Red Rock with Brett Blauvelt, said. “They have inherent qualities that we like to use. We can get them in a number of sizes, and the average service professional or owner can access equipment easily.”
Floor doors from BILCO, the century-old manufacturer of specialty access products, are frequently incorporated into commercial projects related to water management. The terrazzo doors are especially suited for residential applications. They can be covered with hardwood, ceramic tile, granite, artificial turf and other flooring materials. The doors are precisely engineered with lift assistance to allow the user easy, one-hand operation regardless of size even with the flooring materials. Foster Engineered Products, BILCO’s manufacturers’ representative in Arizona, provided the doors for Red Rock.
“We like that a lot of times we can hide them on the floors and decking,’’ Chafey said. “We can load the top of those doors with similar materials to the decking around them. We’ve even poured epoxy and gravel around them or put turf on them to match the surrounding landscaping.” The project encompasses 2.5 acres. The 30,000-gallon shark tank is the centerpiece of the project. The 540-foot lazy river meanders throughout the parcel, and sections of a 494-foot go-kart track wind underneath it. A rock waterfall, grotto, and indoor and outdoor pools complete the project.
With more than 20 years of experience, Red Rock has established itself as a leader in the industry for designing and constructing expansive aqua environments. “We’ve been blessed with having some really large projects come into the fold,’’ Chafey said. “Each one is unique. Over time, we’ve educated ourselves through different education programs to learn and add to our abilities to construct and build more complicated pools. This was definitely one of them.”
About BILCO
BILCO, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, is a trusted leader among building professionals and provides specialty access solutions to support residential and commercial construction projects. Over the years, the company has continued to develop new products while staying true to its core values of innovation, quality and customer satisfaction. As part of Quanex Corporation, a global manufacturer of a variety of building products, BILCO continues to lean into its widely recognized engineering and technical capabilities. BILCO’s headquarters are located in New Haven, Conn. Learn more at www.bilco.com and keep up with BILCO news on Facebook and LinkedIn.
For more information about products from The BILCO Company, contact them at 1-800-366-6530.
