Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains there is a quaint and yet adventurous resort called Little Arrow Outdoor Resort. Included in all the amazing amenities at Little Arrow are a heated swimming pool with grottos, a plunge pool, a separate hot tub area, and a splash pad.

Cassie Halley has been the operations manager of the resort for six years. In her words, she manages, “really anything” including all marketing and advertising. One of Cassie’s primary goals from the start was to ensure that the aquatic features at the resort were top-notch. The main goal was to gain operational knowledge of the pool, spa, and splash pad so that she and her staff could be as self-sufficient as possible. Also, there was a paramount concern for the health and safety of the guests and to make sure all health guidelines were being met. To ensure that these goals were met Cassie decided Little Arrow needed to become certified as a Commercial Pool/Spa Operator (CPO).

Because of the depth of information provided specifically on operations, water chemistry, and safety from the CPO course, both Cassie and her staff were more confident in addressing the daily concerns of aquatics management. For Cassie, it was especially important to ensure that her staff received the CPO education as well. She has two staff members working under her who also went through and received the certification. One of those staff members was Stephen who said, “Now I know more about running a pool and I feel more comfortable doing all the daily operations at our resort.

The CPO course is an extensive 14–16-hour course taught by a certified instructor. It is the premier education and certification program for keeping pools operational as well as clean and safe for use. There have been over 650,000 students trained in the CPO certification program since 1973. There are 25 U.S. States requiring certification to be a pool/spa or aquatic facility operator. Many local health departments, companies, and insurance agencies that require professional certification of pool operators. The great news is that the CPO certification course meets those requirements.

Some of the important subjects covered in the CPO program include:

• Reducing risk in and around the water
• Understanding regulatory guidelines and requirements
• Proper use and management of chemical sanitizers
• Water balance
• Troubleshooting equipment
• Importance of proper record keeping
• Facility Safety

Recognized in 2020 by USA Today Reader’s Choice for the “Best Glamping Resort” and, received for three years running the Traveler’s Choice seal from Tripadvisor™. Besides the well-kept pool, spa, and splash pad there are other luxurious accommodations from RV and Tent areas to Cabins and Tiny Homes. Adventurous activities also include plenty of hiking in the scenic wilderness area, a river discovery trip, and family game and craft events.

For Cassie and her staff gaining incredible knowledge from the CPO course has given them a sense of confidence in knowing that the water features in this majestic setting are properly maintained for all of the guests who visit. From Cassie’s standpoint, the greatest value in being CPO certified is the reassurance she has knowing that her team is prepared and well-equipped to handle anything with the pool operations. As Cassie says, “We never have to worry about the health inspector finding something and we love the confidence we now have in knowing that our pool is safe and clean for our guests.”

Chad Bland was the CPO Instructor who certified the team at CPO Certification Tennessee.