We've decided to nix the pool. Leveling the ground would put us past the $1k mark, additional pool supplies, plus the time commitment just isn't worth the short season up here in our opinion. Returned the pool for a trampoline and the kids love it just as much. When it comes to water we prefer the ocean far more. Just isn't a "gotta have" item...now, if we lived in the southern part of the USA then, yeah, a pool would be more desirable.