LEADERS AND PIONEERS

Mr. Wilfred Cooper had a prolific career in the aquatic leisure sector in the greater Toronto area, starting with Cooper Pools in the 1950’s.  Later he formed the company, Swimquip of Canada Ltd. where he worked for many years.  Eventually Mr. Cooper headed up the Canadian division of Sta-Rite, the company from which he retired circa 1993.  Mr. Cooper was a pioneer of the pool and hot tub industry and one of the founders of the Ontario Swimming Pool Association (OSPA), serving as its President in 1962.  He was instrumental in bringing together the individual organizations of the OSPA, the Canadian Swimming Pool Industry Federation (CANSPIF), the British Columbia Swimming Pool Association and the Alberta Swimming Pool Association under one umbrella, CANSPA.  He served as its first President in 1979.