By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com
A dozen young swimmers and a handful of local leaders helped Carmel Swim Academy Senior Director Nicole Bills and OneZone Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jack Russell cut the ribbon for the official opening of Carmel Swim Academy’s new, 10,000 square-foot, multi-use facility.
Nicole Pence Becker, owner and operator of Pence Media Group, welcomed a crowd of around 80 donors, swimmers and community members gathered on the sunny afternoon of Wednesday, July 12.
Notably absent was Carmel Swim Club Head Coach/CEO Chris Plumb. Director of Business Development Maggie Mestrich explained that Plumb was recently invited to join the USA Swimming national coaching staff for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships to be held this weekend in Fukuoka, Japan, where Carmel swimmers Alex Shackell, Drew Kibler, and Jake Mitchell will compete.
Mestrich described Plumb as “unafraid to dream” and “unafraid to work” to ensure dreams like CSA reach fruition.
Tada! Carmel Swim Academy leaders Brittany Vanmeter, Maggie Mestrich, and Nicole Bills celebrate before the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo courtesy Carmel Swim Academy)
More than a decade ago, Carmel Swim Club board and staff members recognized the need for families in the area to have a safe place to learn lifelong skills, such as water safety and swimming competency.
Made possible by support from the community, construction began in 2021 as a joint effort with project developer Dan Klausner, owner of Carmel Total Fitness, along with GEA Architects, Summit Construction, and the Veridus Group.
OneZone Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jack Russell provided the blue ribbon and giant scissors for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Carmel Swim Academy. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
In addition to $635,000 raised by CSC, contributions from 1,070 community supporters totaled more than $700,000. Inside, a Wall of Honor recognizes donors who gave $1,000 or more during the initial stages of the project.
Organization leaders, including Bills and Mestrich, described the academy as being both “by the community“ and “for the community.”
With a training pool offering six 25-yard swimming lanes and an attached shallow-water instructional area, CSA’s new home provides dedicated space for club practice, community swimming, plus 1,300 children to take lessons each week, all in one centralized location. The facility includes family-friendly locker rooms as well as a mezzanine where parents can watch swim lessons and a work space with Wi-Fi.
As a non-competitive arm of Carmel Swim Club, CSA’s proprietary curriculum for ages 6 months to adult allows for tracks based on age and ability levels. New options, including water aerobics, adult swim instruction, and infant-caregiver classes, will be incorporated into 55 hours of adult-focused programming each week. Both lap swim and family fun swim times will be available daily. Monthly memberships start at $45 per month, and day passes start at $5.
General registration begins July 22 for the next swim session which will run Aug. 7 to Sept. 2. Three summer mini-sessions consisting of five consecutive classes in one week will run the weeks of July 17, 24, and 31.
“Swimming is for everyone, and everyone belongs at the Carmel Swim Academy,” Mestrich said.
In keeping with that objective, an ADA-compliant lift, accessible locker room, and private lessons mean that the pool can meet the needs of a broader population.
Aquatics Director Brittany Vanmeter, Director of Business Development Maggie Mestrich, and Senior Director Nicole Bills are proud of their pool. (Photo courtesy Carmel Swim Academy)
CSA will also be expanding its free swimming lesson program with the goal to offer 1,600 free lessons in 2024 to children who receive free and reduced lunches and home energy assistance.
Carmel Swim Club members, Carmel High School sophomore Luke Feller and senior Grace Dougherty pose before Dougherty’s ceremonial first plunge into the pool. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
“This community does extraordinary things, and this is one example of all kinds of people coming together to do something very special for the youth of this community,” said Mayor Jim Brainard at the ceremonial opening.
CSC swimmer Grace Dougherty, who raised the most money during the spring fundraiser, earned the honor of being the first to ceremoniously plunge into the pool following the ribbon-cutting. A rising senior at Carmel High School, Dougherty has verbally committed to swim at UCLA.
Carmel Swim Academy will host a celebratory open house for the public from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 15. In addition to enjoying snow cones, swag, snacks, and more, families will be able to tour the building and meet staff. Free swim assessments will be available and could include five to 10 minutes in the water if needed. Though free swim will not be offered during the open house, families attending will receive a free swim pass to redeem at a later date.
The academy is located at 830 City Center Drive on the west side of Carmel Total Fitness. To find out more or to make a donation, visit CarmelSwimAcademy.org or call (317) 669-6480.
Guests stroll around the pool after the ribbon cutting. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)