NEED TO KNOW Micky Thornton spent nearly 30 years building a massive pool in his Tennessee backyard, turning a childhood dream into a 500,000-gallon swimming hole. Complete with waterfalls, rock features and space for large gatherings, the pool has become a favorite spot for family, friends and the community. Over the years, it has hosted everything from birthday parties to more than 400 baptisms. Some people spend their weekends mowing the lawn or fixing things around the house. Former diving instructor Micky Thornton spent nearly 30 years turning his backyard into a swimming destination unlike anything most people have ever seen. Living in Covington, Tennessee, Thornton had a childhood vision of a pool where swimmers could dive, explore and move without feeling confined to four walls. Today, its backyard contains approximately 500,000 gallons of water, with waterfalls, rock features, and plenty of room for a crowd. In a December 2023 interview with Coolest Thing, Thornton offered a glimpse into the thinking behind the unusual design and why he wanted something that went far beyond a typical backyard pool. “Wanted to [the pool] “Micky Thornton’s pool. Credit: BCOW Property Imaging. Thornton had been thinking about this type of pool since he was 9 or 10, and after moving to Covington in 1992, he finally had the space to try something on that scale. Digging began on Labor Day in 1993, but the size of the job meant there was no time to waste if he wanted to see his childhood idea become a reality, looking back on that decision, he explained to WGN-TV on 2017 why he decided it was finally time to get going. “I was 39 at the time,” Thornton told the outlet, “and I thought if I was ever going to do something like this, I’d better start working on it,” PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories Credit: BCOW Property Imaging The work was done in stages, with many changes along the way. 20 feet deep and had a polyethylene liner. Later came a rubber liner, followed by improvements in 1998 and 1999 that brought a waterfall and much of the decorative rock. In 2013, the pool received another major renovation. The construction materials alone give an idea of how ambitious the project became. 40,000 pounds of steel bars. It also features rock-lined waterfalls and sprinklers, with varying depths for swimming, diving, and other water activities. There was also the challenge of keeping half a million gallons of water in good condition. Discussing the cost of maintenance, Thornton told Coolest Thing that chlorine is the “biggest ongoing cost” since it uses about “100 pounds of tablets a week.” He also estimated that it adds about “$200 a month year-round” to his electric bill. Still, over the years, the pool has become a place where people can swim, celebrate and make memories. It has hosted birthday parties, sports teams, weddings and family reunions. But according to Thornton’s wife, Jane, one of the most memorable visits was when the Japanese national baseball team called to arrange an afternoon at the pool. “They called and asked if we could invite them over for an afternoon,” Ms. Thornton told WGN-TV. “I thought so, I thought there were nine guys on the field, probably a total of 25 people. Wrong. There were 50. “His backyard has also become part of an important tradition for several local churches. “There have been more than 400 people baptized in the pool,” he revealed. “Which is something I think is pretty cool.” “From that little dream as a kid to now, almost 60 years later, this is where we are. As long as I’m here… I’m going to take care of her as much as I can,” Thornton said on the show. “My 500,000-gallon backyard pool is the coolest thing I’ve ever done.” Read the original article in People
