At age 4, Dana Christ learned to swim. By high school, she worked at Goldfish Swim School near her Michigan home, and won state swimming championships. By college, she captained the University of Arizona swim team.
Now, she’s back in the Midwest, in a city that feels like home.
“I chose Park Ridge specifically because it reminds me of the town I grew up in,” Christ said.
Christ also is back at the Goldfish Swim School as the owner and general manager of their new Park Ridge location, 678 N. Northwest Highway.
On July 22 between 3 and 6 p.m., families can meet swim school staff at a grand opening. There will be tours of the 8,900-square-foot facility, arts and crafts, a family swim and more.
“Kids can get acclimated to the water before their first swim lesson, and we can meet the parents, too,” Christ said.
Swim lessons for children 4 months to 12 years old begin July 24. Instructor-to-student ratios are a maximum of 4-to-1. On July 26, there will be a ribbon cutting with Park Ridge officials between noon and 1:30 p.m. and another family swim.
Like Christ, assistant general manager Lexie Zwerenz experienced Goldfish Swim School’s philosophy, working three years at their St. Charles location.
“I had a lot of experiences in the water, on the deck and at the front desk,” Zwerenz said.
Zwerenz will be at the grand opening with her 3 1/2-year-old son, Jaxson, who will take swim lessons there.
“Jaxson is very excited about Moana being there,” Zwerenz said. “With it being an open swim, it will also be a chance for him to potentially meet new classmates and get to know kids in the community.”
Christ and Zwerenz said they feel welcomed in Park Ridge by families, businesses and schools.
For Nicole Edwards and her daughter, Jade (age 4) and son, Lane (age 5), the feeling’s mutual. Jade and Lane swam at Goldfish Swim School’s Evanston location. Now, lessons are closer to home.
“We’re super excited they’re opening one in Park Ridge, because we live in Park Ridge,” Edwards said.
At www.goldfishswimschool.com/park-ridge, families can sign up for lessons and pool parties, learning about Goldfish Swim School’s philosophy. At Goldfish Swim School, “we learn through play, and my son is more than happy to be a part of that,” Zwerenz said.
The facility is designed to be child-centered, with bright colors, whimsical murals and tropical accents. Ninety-degree water temperatures keep kids comfortable.
“My kids know when they get in they’ll be warm; they’ll feel good,” Edwards said.
Swimming’s benefits extend beyond the pool’s edge. For Christ, it “helped build my confidence at that young age, and that’s when I learned to love it.”
“Lessons help to build the children’s confidence in and out of the pool, allowing them to take advantage of outdoor community pools,” Christ said.
When Jade and Lane swim outside, “I feel comfortable,” Edwards said. “They know what to do and what they can do,” including safely entering and exiting a pool and knowing pool etiquette.
“We emphasize water safety throughout all of our lessons and understand the importance of it,” Christ said, and Goldfish offers free water safety classes to local organizations.
