Not sure where you are swimming that pools are barely 3 ft deep throughout. Not my experience at all.

We built a pool in 2021 and our pool is 30 ft long with depths from 3 ft to 6 ft. Our pool builder said it was a common choice. We also have a 7.5 ft x 10 ft sun shelf that is 6" deep.

There is not an appreciable difference in price for a shallower pool.

It would be a major alteration to make your pool shallower. A structural engineer would have to be involved. A portion of the existing floor would have to be demoed to accept the new concrete. Just not worth it in my opinion.

You could add benches, new steps or a sun shelf. We have done these many times.

Pools we renovate that are the age of yours, we update the plumbing, the equipment, add new lighting, modern tile, plaster and coping materials, etc.,

The majority of my new projects are 5' or 6' deep in the deep section. Most people just want to cool off, so they are not interested in diving.

No diving boards or even ladders on new projects for quite some time.

@kmisley Interesting. Was thinking to maybe bring it to 4' from 6' to level it out for some pool volleyball.

Aren't sun shelfs normally added to the shallow end?

Oh, you certainly can. Just be aware that there is a lot involved to make that happen.

Yes, sun shelfs are in the shallow end. Older pools don't have them, and you have the opportunity now.

My deep end is 7ft and I would have gone deeper if I had the room. I also have young kids who love diving down there. I also have a large sun shelf and will say it is a wasted space. It's only about 6-8" deep. If I did it again I would at least have the shelf a foot deep so people can sit in a low chair and still be in the water some. As-is my dogs sure love it haha and my kids play on it some with toys, but even I, who loves to just lay in the sun, prefer a float.