The village of Howard may soon have a new learn-to-swim facility for kids and families. The plan is to put the new building at 2938 Shawano Avenue and is being built by the Wisconsin Swim Academy, which currently has a location in Appleton. PC: Fox 11 Online
HOWARD, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — There could soon be a new recreational center for families in Howard.
Wisconsin Swim Academy is behind the project, which is currently seeing success at its facility in Appleton. The facility provides personalized swim lessons for kids and adults in Northeast Wisconsin, with an emphasis on safety.
“When you have good quality swimming lessons for children and you start at a very young age, statistics show that reduces drowning by 88%,” Wisconsin Swim Academy owner Susie Van Ekeren said.
Van Ekeren said drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among kids under four years old. To her, that’s unacceptable. It’s been her goal to lower that statistic by expanding Wisconsin Swim Academy’s services to the Green Bay area, with a brand-new facility in Howard at 2938 Shawano Avenue.
“We’re super excited. There’s a huge need in the area and we’re super excited and we just want to service as many families as we can and save as many lives as we can,” Van Ekeren said.
The new stand-alone, learn-to-swim facility would be the first of its kind in the Green Bay area, excluding multi-purpose health clubs like the YMCA. The academy also won’t need much room.
The Appleton facility is around 6,000 square feet, and the new one would be closer to 7,500 square feet. When it comes to the inside, it will look similar to this one in Appleton, with a heated pool.
“There is definitely a need. You know, you try and get in here and all the classes are sold out, so there definitely are a lot of families out there looking for access to swim lessons,” parent Jess Buss said.
Right now, the Appleton facility serves roughly 60 families from the De Pere area.
“Knowing that they can save some time and have closer resources to them, it’s just wonderful. They’re really excited,” Buss said.
The project will cost around $2.5 million, all of which will be funded by the Wisconsin Swim Academy.
Land was approved for rezoning and conditional use by the Howard village board Monday. The next step for the swim facility will be to get approval of the site by the Howard plan commission.
Wisconsin Swim Academy hopes to have the facility complete by the end of the year.
Comments