Pump Motor Died----I need HELP!

I hope someone here can help me, I'm a single woman who knows nothing about pumps and motors.

I have a 22 ft round Sofpool (10,500 gal.) that I purchased 5-1/2 yrs ago and it came with the filter/pump, etc. Equipment is a Waterway WorkHorse 1 HP, 2 spd, 75 sq ft cartridge filter system. The motor died on the pump last week. I took it to a local pool supply and they said they could replace the motor on site while I waited. After 2 hours, the guy told me that he could not get the impeller off, therefore could not replace the motor. He said he could sell me a whole new pump, however when he showed the new pump to me, it is a top discharge and my current one has a side discharge to the filter. He said they do not sell one that has a side discharge and he didn't know how I could attach a top discharge pump to a side discharge filter. Called every pool place in town, no one has a side discharge replacement. Found one online at this web addy: http://www.waterwaydirect.com/casy.html that looks like the current setup I have. However, have to purchase the entire system, do not see where they sell the pump section only. Here are my questions:
1. Should I take the motor somewhere else (where?) to see if they can get the impeller off and replace the motor?
2. Since the system is over 5 years old, should I buy a replacement system anyway?
3. If I have to buy a whole new system, should I stick with the Waterway or is there better systems out there that I should go to? Is the current size correct and should I stick with that?
4. Does anyone have experience dealing with www.waterwaydirect.com? I'm always leary of buying from online companies as I got burned once when I purchase a NG pool heater from an online site (heater was damaged when received, shipped it back to them and never got a replacement nor my money back--$700 down the drain).
Any advice/recommendations you all can give me is much appreciated.

One more dumb question: I purchased solar heating panels but need someone to install them on my roof and connect to filter system, what type of contractor do I contact? Plumber? Roofer? Handyman? Sorry to be so dumb about these things....please help.

Thanks so much.
Carolyn

If you do a google search under "pool pump side discharge" you get several hits. Here's one:

http://www.amerimerc.com/pool_supply...lo_ag_pump.asp

I just had to buy a new pump and I looked at about a thousand websites, finally found these guys:

http://mastertoolrepair.com/

I called their customer service number (spoke to Gill) and they were incredibly helpful in finding a replacement pump that would work with my system.

Good luck!

Sorry I can't help on the pump questions but on the solar panel install, I would go with a Handy Man, They should be more than capable.