New Indoor ‘Goldfish’ Swim School Coming to Pine Township

A new swimming school featuring a large, indoor heated pool is on its way in Pine Township.

At Monday’s meeting, Pine’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved plans for a Goldfish Swim School to be located off Lake Drive near the Wexford Plaza on Perry Highway.

Owner Scott Payne, a Bradford Woods resident, said the 8,700-square-foot facility would be built from the ground up. It intends to feature a variety of swimming lessons for children, including those as young as 6 months.

The building’s indoor 32-by-72-foot pool will be heated and will remain at 92 degrees year-round, Payne said. 

“It’s really, really cool,” he said.

Founded by Michigan-based husband-and-wife team Jenny and Chris McCuiston in 2006, Goldfish Swim School now has franchises throughout the midwest.

Payne, a father of four children between ages 1 and 8, said he learned of the school from a friend in Detroit. After visiting that facility in person several years ago, Payne said he was wowed.

“It was just amazing,” he said. “It almost has a Bahamas feel inside.”  

Payne said the facility in Pine would feature a glass window facing the pool to permit parents to watch their children participate in lessons.

This will be the first Goldfish school in the Pittsburgh area. Already, Payne said interested swimmers from across the region are pre-registering for classes.

“This is a healthy business,” Payne said. “Truly, I think that one thing everyone always will need to know is how to swim.”

Payne, who sells medical devices, said his wife, Christy Payne, will be the school's general manager.

He said he hopes to break ground in May and be open for business by August or September.

"It's really a lot of fun for the whole family," he said. 

According to the company’s website, Goldfish swim classes are kept small with no more than four children per instructor.

Classes range from introductory parent-tot programs to beginner swimmer lessons to advanced pro-level lessons. Goldfish also offers a recreational swim team, weekend birthday parties and open swim times for families.

Are you excited for Goldfish Swim School to open in the area? Tell us in the comment section below. 

Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

Check out some of today's other top stories here.