In a complicated legal battle unfolding in Iowa, commercial pool operator, Jason Bailey, owner of Custom Fitness and Whole Health Natural Foods LLC, finds himself at the center of two lawsuits over the operation of a swimming pool. What began as an effort to maintain a community facility has spiraled into a dispute involving the state of Iowa and Linn County, as each side accuses the other of failing to uphold their responsibilities.

The Lawsuit Against Jason Bailey: Non-Compliance and Public Health Risks

Jason Bailey’s legal troubles began in October 2020 when Linn County inspectors and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) examined the pool and spa at Custom Fitness, a facility located on Wilson Avenue in Cedar Rapids. The inspectors found multiple violations at the pool, prompting concerns about public health and safety.

Among the issues were broken water heaters and filters, essential components for safe pool operation. Although Bailey replaced these parts promptly, inspectors determined that the repairs constituted “reconstruction” of the pool. Under state regulations, reconstruction of older pools—like the 1980s-era pool at Custom Fitness—requires the entire facility to meet updated building and safety standards.

IDPH notified Custom Fitness in January 2021 that if the issues were not resolved, the pool would have to close. While Bailey hired a pool architect and submitted new plans to bring the pool into compliance in March 2021, the pool remained shut down.

However, tension between Custom Fitness and local regulators escalated. In 2022, Linn County filed a lawsuit against the gym, alleging that Bailey had reopened the pool without authorization and removed closure signs posted by the county. According to court documents, the county accused Custom Fitness of defying health orders and continuing to allow public access to the pool.

The situation worsened when a case of legionnaire’s disease—a severe form of pneumonia—was traced to someone who had attended swim classes at the gym. The person had to be hospitalized, adding urgency to the county’s legal action. In December 2023, Linn County sought and was granted an injunction, formally prohibiting the use of the pool. The injunction took effect in February 2024, forcing Bailey to keep the pool closed pending further compliance.

A trial date for the county’s lawsuit is now scheduled for December 17, 2024.

Bailey’s Lawsuit Against the State: A Case of Bureaucratic Inaction

Frustrated by the three-year delay in reviewing his pool repair plans, Jason Bailey and Custom Fitness have now sued the state of Iowa, accusing it of failing to act on their permit application. The lawsuit, filed in Polk County District Court, names the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) as the defendant, as well as Linn County.

Bailey’s lawsuit claims that Custom Fitness followed every step required by the state to comply with pool regulations. According to the company, it submitted detailed architectural plans for repairs in March 2021, paying all necessary fees. However, the state has allegedly refused to review or approve the application for more than three years.

“Custom Fitness’s application of March 2021 has been languishing at the state for more than 1,200 days,” the lawsuit alleges. “We can take no further action to address the deficiencies identified in October 2020 without approval of our plans and issuance of a permit.”

Bailey’s frustrations intensified after the state transferred oversight of pools and spas from IDPH to DIAL in 2023, as part of a government reorganization. The lawsuit claims that DIAL’s refusal to act has placed the company in a “Catch-22” situation. According to Custom Fitness, Linn County won’t accept water samples from the pool until the state issues a permit, while the state refuses to review the permit application without water samples.

The lawsuit accuses both DIAL and Linn County of obstructing the company’s efforts to reopen the pool, stating that “the agencies have actively interfered with the compliance process.” The gym alleges that the delays and closure have cost it more than four dozen members and caused significant financial losses.

Legal Demands: Compensation and a Path Forward

In its lawsuit against the state, Custom Fitness is asking for financial compensation to cover the damages it has incurred from the pool’s prolonged closure. The company is also requesting a declaration from the court that replacing the water heaters and filters should not be classified as “reconstruction,” which would exempt the repairs from requiring a permit under Iowa law.

Bailey’s complaint emphasizes that Iowa Administrative Code requires the state to issue decisions on permit applications within 15 days, far from the three years it claims it has waited. “Despite requests in 2024 for the state to process Custom Fitness’s March 2021 plan and permit application, DIAL refuses to do so,” the lawsuit states.

If successful, Custom Fitness hopes the lawsuit will force DIAL to act on its application and reopen the pool for its 1,800 members.

Cruise ships are known for their amenities, but the upcoming TUI Ria takes luxury to a new level with an innovative swimming pool that offers more than just a refreshing dip. Set to embark on its first journey in April 2026, the TUI Ria will be the first European river cruise ship with a movable pool floor. The feature allows guests full use of the pool during the day, however at night the swimming pool transforms into a solid floor that is part of one of the ship’s two onboard restaurants. This unique amenity promises an unforgettable experience for passengers, merging daytime relaxation with nighttime entertainment.

The TUI Ria, which will operate along the Rhine and Moselle rivers, is designed with modern touches and will carry 190 passengers across 96 cabins. Travelers can choose from itineraries ranging from six to nine nights, departing from Amsterdam, Basel, and Frankfurt. But the true star of the TUI Ria is the pool – a revolutionary addition that appeals to pool enthusiasts and food lovers alike.

A Pool Designed for All Weather Conditions

At the heart of the TUI Ria’s upper deck is an all-weather swimming pool that offers passengers the chance to enjoy the water regardless of the season. Its retractable roof ensures that guests can swim under the sun on warm days or stay sheltered during cooler weather. Whether cruising through the Rhine’s scenic vineyards or along the serene Moselle, passengers can take in the views while floating in comfort. This unique design is perfect for those who want to relax without worrying about changing weather conditions.

The pool also features surrounding sun loungers, offering a cozy spot for guests to unwind after their swim. Additionally, the upper deck provides other recreational amenities, including a putting green and shuffleboard, making it a hub for leisure and relaxation throughout the day.

A Pool by Day, a Restaurant by Night

As the sun sets on the river, the TUI Ria’s pool undergoes a remarkable transformation. The pool floor rises to seal off the water, converting the area into an elegant dining venue. This secondary dining space provides an intimate, riverside dining experience, giving guests the chance to enjoy meals with spectacular views. It’s more than just a pool—it’s a dynamic space that adapts to meet passengers’ desires, whether that’s a swim or a fine dining experience under the stars.

With this convertible design, TUI River Cruises has seamlessly blended functionality and luxury, creating an experience that redefines onboard amenities. It allows guests to make the most of their time onboard, offering a swimming pool by day and a chic entertainment venue by night. This dual-purpose area will also host evening shows and events, adding an extra layer of excitement to the cruise.

This Cruise Ship Has a Movable Pool Floor

At Pool Magazine, we’ve previously covered the rise of movable pool floors—an innovative feature gaining traction in high-end residential pools and luxury resorts across the United States. These strategically planned spaced offer a dual-purpose design, allowing the pool depth to be adjusted or the water completely concealed, transforming the area into a dry, usable space with the push of a button. While movable pool floors are becoming a desirable amenity for homeowners seeking versatile outdoor spaces, the TUI Ria marks the first time we’ve seen this technology integrated aboard a cruise ship.

Movable pool floors have been praised for their versatility and practicality, making them increasingly popular in the U.S. They offer the ability to switch between a swimming pool and a solid surface within minutes, providing homeowners and commercial venues with flexibility in how they use their outdoor spaces. Whether it’s adjusting the pool’s depth for safety, hosting events, or simply concealing the pool during colder months, the appeal of this technology lies in its adaptability.

This dual-purpose design is particularly valuable in spaces where functionality and elegance must coexist—like the TUI Ria, where the pool area serves as both a relaxation zone and a dining space. With the press of a button, the movable floor rises to close off the pool, offering guests a dry surface to enjoy dinner and evening entertainment. This feature not only conserves space but also gives passengers a memorable, multi-functional experience.

The First of Its Kind in TUI’s European Fleet

The TUI Ria will be the first in TUI’s fleet to introduce this revolutionary feature, setting it apart from other river cruise ships. While other TUI vessels—such as Isla, Maya, and Skyla—offer luxurious amenities, the TUI Ria’s convertible pool-restaurant is a game-changer. This innovation elevates the cruise experience, giving passengers a new reason to explore Europe’s waterways aboard this exceptional vessel.

TUI’s Head of River Cruises, Katy Berzins, expressed the company’s excitement about expanding their offerings:

“These innovative features of TUI Ria, combined with enhanced accessibility from UK regional airports, will strengthen TUI River Cruises’ position in the market, offering customers more choice and flexibility in how they choose to sail with us.”

With the addition of the pool-restaurant, the TUI Ria aims to attract travelers seeking more than just a standard river cruise. It combines relaxation, entertainment, and fine dining, ensuring guests leave with unforgettable memories.

A Full-Board Experience with Perks

In addition to its standout amenities, the TUI Ria offers full-board plus service as standard, meaning all meals, drinks, and onboard activities are included in the fare. Early bookings come with extra perks—travelers who reserve their spot before November 30 will receive a £50 shore excursion credit. Passengers will also have access to direct flights from Bristol to Amsterdam or Newcastle to Frankfurt, providing convenient travel options.

TUI Ria’s Dutch Delta Discovery itinerary, starting at £1,649 per person, promises a memorable journey through some of Europe’s most scenic rivers. With itineraries departing from iconic cities like Amsterdam, Basel, and Frankfurt, passengers will have the opportunity to explore Europe’s vibrant cities and tranquil countryside, all while enjoying the ship’s modern and luxurious amenities.

The Perfect Blend of Leisure and Luxury

For pool enthusiasts, the TUI Ria offers a refreshing twist on the traditional cruise experience. Imagine swimming with panoramic river views by day, only to return to the same space for a gourmet meal as the stars reflect off the water at night. This innovative design ensures that every moment aboard the TUI Ria feels special, whether guests are floating in the pool, enjoying the upper deck’s activities, or indulging in a carefully curated dinner menu.

Photo Credits: TUI Group

Halloween is right around the corner, so we thought the timing was just right to take a look at some of our favorite scary pool scenes from Hollywood’s silver screen. But first, we’d like to discuss the psychological impact that swimming pools play on the pscyhe and why they remain a constant source of inspiration for setting the backdrop for the perfect scary movie.

Why does Hollywood keep coming back to the pool?

Swimming pools have a powerful impact in horror films because they subvert familiar spaces associated with fun and relaxation, transforming them into settings of dread. As outlined by Night Swim director Bryce McGuire, filmmakers often take environments typically viewed as safe and twist them into sources of terror, exploiting the unsettling contrast between serenity and danger.

Pools evoke fear through isolation and helplessness. Characters trapped within a pool’s confined space experience limited escape routes, making them particularly vulnerable to danger. The water’s reflective surface also adds suspense, creating visual distortions that keep both characters and viewers on edge—unsure of what lurks beneath.

Additionally, swimming pools symbolize the thin boundary between life and death. Horror films capitalize on this by framing pools as metaphors for repressed anxieties and hidden threats, intensifying the psychological tension. The inherent fear of drowning taps into our subconscious, making the pool an ideal setting for fear-driven storytelling.

Finally, the aesthetic appeal of a pool amplifies the horror. The clean, controlled environment contrasts sharply with chaotic or supernatural events that unfold, such as attacks or drownings. The vivid visual of blood dispersing in water further deepens the horror, using both symbolism and shock to make scenes unforgettable.

For some great examples of how pools have been used in horror films, listen in on the conversation we had on the subject of Scary Pools Scenes in the Movies with pool pro, podcaster, and horror film associate producer Rudy Stankowitz, on the Pool Magazine podcast.

We asked Rudy to help us pick some of the best Scariest Pool Scenes. Below, you’ll find his top picks as well as recommendations from the staff here at Pool Magazine.

Top 20 Scary Pool Scenes

Rudy’s Picks – Scary Pool Scenes

1. Let the Right One In (2008)

Director: Tomas Alfredson
Main Actors: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson
Pool Involvement:
Set in a bleak Stockholm suburb, the film explores themes of loneliness and vengeance. Oskar, a bullied 12-year-old, befriends Eli, an enigmatic girl who is secretly a vampire. The climax unfolds in a pool, where Oskar is attacked by his tormentors. Eli intervenes in a shocking display of violence, slaughtering the bullies in the water, leaving Oskar emotionally bonded to his only friend. The tranquil pool becomes a site of gore and transformation.

2. It Follows (2014)

Director: David Robert Mitchell
Main Actors: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto
Pool Involvement:
The scary pool scene in It Follows (2014), redefines the supernatural horror genre, with a cursed entity relentlessly pursuing its victims. The characters set a trap in a public pool, planning to electrocute the entity. The water, typically representing safety, becomes a battleground for survival as the creature appears invisible to everyone except the protagonist, Jay. As tension escalates, everyday poolside objects are weaponized, transforming the scene into a surreal fight against the unknown.

3. Day Shift (2022)

Director: J.J. Perry
Main Actors: Jamie Foxx, Dave Franco, Natasha Liu Bordizzo
Pool Involvement:
In the 2022 horror film Day Shift, Foxx stars as a pool cleaner with a twist—he moonlights as a vampire hunter. Pools, typically tranquil, become chaotic battlegrounds where Foxx’s character faces bloodthirsty creatures. The film mixes humor with action as vampire battles play out around swimming pools. The juxtaposition of sunlit leisure areas with grisly combat adds to the film’s charm, making pools a memorable backdrop.

4. Poltergeist (1982)

Director: Tobe Hooper
Main Actors: JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Heather O’Rourke
Pool Involvement:
The 1982 classic Poltergeist sees an unfinished pool become a portal for the undead. When heavy rains flood the backyard, coffins and skeletal remains surface from the water, escalating the paranormal terror already gripping the family. The pool symbolizes disturbed ground, a haunting reminder of the dark past buried beneath their home.

5. Final Destination 4 (2009) – The Final Destination

Director: David R. Ellis
Main Actors: Bobby Campo, Shantel VanSanten, Nick Zano
Pool Involvement:
When looking at swimming pools in the movies, the chilling scene in Final Destination 4 captures the terror of being unable to escape fate. A character is gruesomely killed after being sucked into the pool’s drain, his body violently torn apart. This sequence exemplifies the franchise’s theme of unavoidable death, making even a public swimming pool a site of carnage.

6. The Pool (2018)

Director: Ping Lumpraploeng
Main Actors: Theeradej Wongpuapan, Ratnamon Ratchiratham
Pool Involvement:
In the tense survival thriller – The Pool, a couple finds themselves trapped in a drained pool with a crocodile. As hunger and exhaustion set in, the pool transforms from a harmless structure to a deadly trap. The film pushes the limits of survival, with the characters fighting not only the crocodile but also the unforgiving environment.

7. A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985)

Director: Jack Sholder
Main Actors: Robert Englund, Mark Patton
Pool Involvement: In 1985’s campy horror classic A Nightmare on Elm Street 2, Freddy Krueger terrorizes partygoers by turning an innocent pool party into a massacre. Using his supernatural abilities, Freddy ignites the water and slashes his way through the crowd, transforming a lighthearted game into a bloodbath.

8. Night Swim (2024)

Director: Bryce McGuire
Main Actors: Wyatt Russell, Kerry Condon
Pool Involvement:
The film Night Swim revolves around a haunted backyard pool. As a malevolent presence makes itself known, the family becomes trapped in a nightmare that disrupts the serenity of suburban life. The pool serves as a focal point of terror, demonstrating that even the most familiar spaces can hide darkness.

9. 12 Feet Deep (2017)

Director: Matt Eskandari
Main Actors: Nora-Jane Noone, Alexandra Park
Pool Involvement:
The scariest pool movie of 2017 would have to be 12 Feet Deep, where two sisters become trapped beneath a fiberglass pool cover in this claustrophobic thriller. With limited air and no escape in sight, the characters are forced to confront their fears and secrets. The pool, a place of leisure, becomes a suffocating prison in a film that emphasizes psychological tension.

10. Swimming Pool (2001)

Director: Boris von Sychowski
Main Actors: Kristen Miller, Isla Fisher
Pool Involvement:
A group of students sneak into an indoor pool for a night of fun, only to find themselves targeted by a killer. The water becomes an inescapable trap, turning the pool into a site of terror as the students fight for survival against an unknown assailant.

Staff Picks

11. The Faculty (1998)

Director: Robert Rodriguez
Main Actors: Elijah Wood, Josh Hartnett, Clea DuVall
Pool Involvement: Robert Rodriguez used the swimming pool to great effect in his film The Faculty. One thrilling pool scene unfolds as an alien, capable of moving swiftly through the water, chases a student. Resembling a tentacled leviathan, the alien uses the water to its advantage, turning the school pool into a scene of high tension and terror.

12. Deep End (2016) – Horror Short Film

Director: Matt Anthony Sellitti
Main Actors: Cardin Benjamin, Joe Pease
Pool Involvement: In the eerie short film Deep End, a boy sneaks into a neighbor’s pool for a swim, only to find himself trapped by a malevolent force that wants to drag him down the depths from whence it came.

13. The Legacy (1978)

Director: Richard Marquand
Main Actors: Katharine Ross, Sam Elliott
Pool Involvement: A swimmer finds herself trapped beneath an invisible pool cover, struggling for air as supernatural forces keep her submerged in the 1978 cult classic, The Legacy. As the character sinks, unable to break the surface, the scene builds a sense of helplessness and dread, portraying the pool as a deadly trap.

14. Cat People (1942)

Director: Jacques Tourneur
Main Actors: Simone Simon, Jane Randolph
Pool Involvement:
This psychological thriller builds fear through atmosphere rather than gore. In one iconic scene, a woman swims alone in a dimly lit indoor pool. She becomes increasingly paranoid, sensing a predatory presence stalking her. Because it was 1942 and special effects weren’t really a thing yet, Cat People relies on shadow play and sound design to evoke terror, exemplifying psychological horror at its finest.

15. AquaSlash (2019)

Director: Renaud Gauthier
Main Actors: Nicolas Fontaine, Brittany Drisdelle
Pool Involvement: In 2019’s low-budget swimming pool slasher – AquaSlash, a waterpark with a rigged waterslide becomes a deadly trap as hidden blades dismember riders. This gruesome scene transforms a day of fun into a nightmare, blending slasher horror with shocking violence.

16. Wednesday (2022)

Director: Tim Burton
Main Actors: Jenna Ortega, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Pool Involvement: The only entry on our list that’s part of a TV series but certainly worth mentioning is the popular Netflix show, Wednesday. In a darkly humorous scene, Wednesday Addams unleashes piranhas into a school pool to exact revenge on a group of bullies. Chaos ensues as the swimmers try to escape the flesh-eating fish, bringing a macabre twist to the swim meet.

17. Alligator (1980)

Director: Lewis Teague
Main Actors: Robert Forster, Robin Riker
Pool Involvement: In 1980’s Alligator, a suburban pool becomes the hunting ground for a deadly alligator. A prank turns horrifying as a young girl is pushed into the water, only to be attacked by the lurking predator. This scene plays on the fear of hidden dangers in seemingly safe spaces.

18. Jurassic World (2015)

Director: Colin Trevorrow
Main Actors: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard
Pool Involvement: In Jurassic World, the 4th installment in the hit Jurrasic Park franchise, The Mosasaurus, a massive aquatic dinosaur, lives in the park’s lagoon. In a jaw-dropping scene, the creature leaps from the water to devour a great white shark, displaying its terrifying power and transforming the pool into a stage for prehistoric horror.

19. The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018)

Director: Johannes Roberts
Main Actors: Bailee Madison, Christina Hendricks
Pool Involvement: A serene pool scene turns into a harrowing fight for survival when a masked killer attacks in The Strangers: Prey at Night. The pool becomes a battleground, as the water reflects both beauty and brutality in this gripping scene of life-or-death struggle.

20. Passengers (2016)

Director: Morten Tyldum
Main Actors: Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt
Pool Involvement: During a space voyage in 2016’s oscar-nominated sci-fi hit Passengers, the loss of gravity transforms a tranquil swim into a deadly ordeal. As the water floats mid-air, the swimmer becomes trapped inside, struggling to escape the suffocating sphere. The tension rises until gravity is restored, releasing the water—and the swimmer—from their peril.

Swimming pools in horror films have a unique power to evoke a blend of serenity and terror. These chilling moments tap into universal fears—of drowning, entrapment, or the unknown lurking just beneath the surface. By turning familiar, everyday spaces like pools into terrifying environments, filmmakers disrupt expectations, making their scares even more potent. From surreal supernatural events to grotesque slasher scenes, horror’s use of pools taps into primal anxieties. It leaves us questioning whether the next swim might just be our last—or worse, if the pool itself is watching, waiting for its moment.

If we missed any of your favorite pool scenes, let us know in the comments! Whether it’s a suspenseful moment from an indie film or a cult classic we overlooked, we’d love to hear your recommendations. Pools are fascinating backdrops for thrillers and horrors, and there’s always room for more hidden gems to explore.