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The pond phenomenon Populaâ€"rity of manmade backyard oases grows more each year magine an aquatic enyiâ€" Inmman filled with lush green plants, Coy fish and the soothing sounds of a waterfall â€" in vour backâ€" vard. Backvard ponds used to take a lot of time and money to build, but with innovaâ€" tions in materials, today‘s miniâ€"habitats are lightâ€" weight, frostâ€"resistant and simple to install. Juanita Dyck of Artistic Landscaping Inc., Waterloo, said people enjoy the soothâ€" ing sound of water while they sit in their own backâ€" vard. "People are looking for the same tranquility they find in nature," she said. Dyck said water and fire are two elements that fasciâ€" nate people. She said there are basic ponds which simply hold water in a basin with few fish or plants, to those with waterfalls, _ Coy _ fish By Tros Museny for The Chromicle agiIns lntOAcc,ob/ Juanita Dyck of Artistic Landscaping in Waterloo sits next to one of the company‘s many designs for backyard ponds. and more "The whole water, plants, fish thing is really addicting," BUSINESS We have everything you‘re looking for and more! _ &£ P When you move to The Court at Laurelwood retirement residence, you‘ll © enjoy highâ€"quality services and amenities all for one affordable monthâ€"toâ€"month rent. There are NO hidden fees or extra cost! Hurry in today... the nicest views are going to go fast at the best retirement community in Waterloo. Weekly housckeeping/linen service * Three chefâ€"prepared meals daily Onâ€"site beauty salon * Spacious studio, oneâ€" or twoâ€"bedroom suites Paid cable TV and utilities (except telephone) * Full activity calendar Scheduled local transportation * Onâ€"site resident managers 24â€"hours Call for information and to reserve your new home! THE a 1 Court, io \ *4 |LAURELWWDD L she said. "People really get into it and it becomes like an aquarium." Dyck said she thinks the ponds which look best are the ones with more Gracious Retirement Living 605 Laurelwood Drive Waterloo, ON N2V 2W7 www.courtatlauretwood.com t uapice enGto natural style The ponds come in natâ€" uralâ€"looking shapes, as well as more formal shapes such as round or square. and range in manmade plastic materials to natural stone. "We do all the design and construction on everything," she said. "We have all the supplies available here at our showroom." Dyck said staff will walk people through the process of building a pond, help creâ€" ate a conceptual image and show the customer all availâ€" able options for stones and other materials at the showâ€" room. Dyck said the cost ranges in installing a pond, from a small one at perhaps $800, to an unlimited price tag depending on what the cusâ€" tomer wants. "As soon as you start to add filtration, UV filters, lighting, that is an additional cost that will come on top of the pond," she said. Dyck said she recomâ€" mends installing lighting in backyard ponds "The lighting extends the use of the pond or the feel of the pond in to the night hours," she said, adding people need to make sure the pond is not made too small. "That is the biggest complaint people have once they have it, they wish it was bigger." _A deeper pond will also ensure fish can be kept in it over winter. "It‘s important what you, put in your yard reflects your tastes and the type of lifestyle you have," she said. Artistic Landscaping has been in business for the past 25 years, providing patios, walkways and courtyards, as well as other landscaping and yard decorations. "We do pretty much everything from the design right through to the compleâ€" tion of the construction," Dyck said. â€"Located at 426 Albert St., there are 30 people on staff. Continued on page 22