STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- A swim school for children, which provides classes at more than 135 locations in 28 states, plans to open a new location at the southwest corner of Pearl and Drake roads.

Aqua-Tots Swim School , headquartered in Mesa, Ariz., will occupy a 7,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by DaVita Kidney Care in a multi-tenant retail plaza.

“The demographics support locating a business here, and the family atmosphere of Strongsville is very appealing to us as well,” Mike Kallmeyer, an Aqua-Tots franchisee, told the Strongsville Planning Commission April 10, according to a meeting transcript.

Kallmeyer lives in Galena, just northeast of Columbus, and already operates an Aqua-Tots school in Columbus, according to his LinkedIn page.

Kallmeyer told the commission that he also runs an Aqua-Tots school at Crocker Park in Westlake.

“This would be our second location in the Cleveland area,” Kallmeyer said.

“We believe the families from Brunswick and Medina will come too, which would bring further revenue to Strongsville.”

Other Ohio Aqua-Tots schools are in Beavercreek, North Canton, Powell, Springboro and Westerville.

Kallmeyer appeared before the planning commission because he needed a conditional-use permit.

Swim schools are permitted in general business districts, where Aqua-Tots would be located, but only with special permission from the commission.

The commission approved the conditional use permit.

Previously, on March 26, the Board of Zoning Appeals approved a size variance for the project. Under city code, a swim school in a general business district can measure no more than 5,000 square feet.

“The building will be completely renovated to house the pool and the amenities that go along with the swim school,” Building Commissioner Ted Hurst told the planning commission.

According to its website, Aqua-Tots started in Tempe, Ariz. The school teaches children as young as 4 months old.

“Aqua-Tots swim instructors have completed 40-plus hours of intensive in-classroom and in-water training, as well as written and in-water exams,” the website says.

“Additional training or qualifications vary by location,” the website says. “Instructors continue to be evaluated regularly and participate in monthly training sessions to ensure that your child is in the absolute safest environment.”

Small-group lessons have one teacher for every four swim students. Parents are invited to participate in the lessons.

Aqua-Tots also instructs adults and children with special needs. It organizes swim clubs and swim teams that compete against other regional teams.

“At Aqua-Tots Swim Schools, each franchise location is independently owned and operated, giving teams the flexibility to offer programs that help their communities thrive,” the website says.

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