Wisconsin Swim Academy to open new location in Howard

Parents of younger swimmers and gymnasts in Howard will quickly have a brand new place to take their kids.

Wisconsin Swim Academy will open a second location this fall at 2920 Riverview Drive, subsequent to the Howard Commons improvement. The first facility opened at 3411 E. Evergreen Drive, Appleton in 2020. Owner Susie Van Ekeren stated this new constructing will serve the Howard group in addition to the larger Green Bay space.

“Everything is just expanding out and getting so big,” Van Ekeren stated. “We feel there’s a real need for this here.”

She stated they’ve spoken with many mother and father within the space who’re ready to register at her academy as a result of they might not get into different amenities.

Van Ekeren stated a couple of half-mile away from the development website stands the Greater Green Bay YMCA, which additionally affords swimming classes together with a gymnasium, basketball courtroom and lockers. But Van Ekeren stated she doesn’t view them as opponents. Instead, she referred to as them “partners,” noting that “we are all trying to do the same thing.”

Van Ekeren stated drowning is the main explanation for demise for youngsters ages 1 to 4, and her mission is to decrease that quantity whereas serving to mother and father.

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Jan. 6, 2026 report, greater than 4,500 individuals die from unintentional drowning every year within the United States – a mean of about 11 deaths per day. In 2022, 461 kids from 1 to 4 died from drowning – a 28% enhance from 2019, the report stated.

The academy’s second location will provide swimming classes and gymnastics for youngsters. The constructing will embrace a pool, locker rooms, a viewing space, places of work and a gymnastics area. Van Ekeren stated swimming classes are customized and every teacher works with not more than three kids.

Jack Van Ekeren, the overall supervisor, stated development is anticipated to proceed by way of the summer season, with the ability opening this fall.

“Obviously, construction is unpredictable, but that’s what we are shooting for,” he stated.

Jack Van Ekeren stated the pool will measure 25 toes by 50 toes, and the gymnastics space will probably be about 1,500 sq. toes.

He stated registration is already ongoing and might be carried out by way of the official website or by calling. He recommends the latter, as that approach they will reply any questions individuals might have.

For extra info go to wiswimacademy.com.

Ariel Perez is a enterprise reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can attain him at APerez1@gannett.com or view his X profile at @Ariel_Perez85.