An indoor swim facility that teaches swimmers from all ages and abilities will open its doors in Fort Mill on June 29 with a chance to meet Olympic gold medalists Missy Franklin and Cullen Jones. The grand opening includes giveaways, face painting, balloon twisting, demos and tours of the facility, at 1309 Broadcloth Street, Suite 101, Fort Mill.

Here’s a Q&A to get you up to date.

What is it? The SafeSplash + SwimLabs indoor swim facility has the ability to teach swimmers from all ages and abilities – from learn-to-swim and novice to competitive youth and adult swimmers. The location’s trained instructors will also provide fitness, open water and triathlete training lessons.

Gold Medalist Cullen Jones is shown leading a SCS Diversity and Inclusion Camp clinic in Los Angeles in 2017. (Photo courtesy of Cullen’s Facebook page)

What’s so special about it? The facility offers SafeSplash’s learn-to-swim curriculum and instructor-match program as well as SwimLabs’ video feedback technology in a warm water environment. SwimLabs training technology helps swimmers of all ages and abilities instantly view their own strokes, correct or enhance their form, adjust their technique and improve their skills. Swimmers have the ability to see their strokes side-by-side with elite U.S. Olympic swimmers such as Missy Franklin, Cullen Jones, Kara Lynn Joyce, Chloe Sutton and U.S. Olympic triathlete medalist Susan Williams.

Who owns it? Fort Mill residents and owners Leila and Shawn O’Brien partnered with Charlotte resident Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America, to open the first SafeSplash + SwimLabs indoor swim facility in the area with plans to open more in the future.

Gold medalist Missy Franklin is shown in this image from her Facebook page.

What else? In addition to providing the full offering of lessons, the owners are committed to clean water and clean air in the facility. They installed the patented Paddock Evacuator system, the only air system that captures and remove airborne chloramines, which if not removed can cause asthma, red eyes, itchy skin and other health issues.“We are parents of young daughters and know that swimming is a life-saving skill everyone should know,” commented owner Leila O’Brien. “And for those who know how to swim but want to improve, SwimLabs’ technology and experienced instructors is an ideal opportunity to get better.”

Where is it located? 1309 Broadcloth Street, Suite 101, Fort Mill, SC 29715

When does registration begin? Registration for lessons is now open.

What happens on June 29? From 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, Olympic Gold Medalists Missy Franklin and Cullen Jones will be available for autographs and photos. Jones will be available for reservations to teach SwimLabs lessons at the Fort Mills SafeSplash + SwimLabs facility. At the same time, the grand opening will offer giveaways, snacks, face painting, balloon twisting, demos and tours of the facility.

SafeSplash’s Location: 1309 Broadcloth Street, Suite 101, Fort Mill, SC 29715

Where can I get more information? More information can be found at: www.safesplash.com/locations/fort-mill or on Facebook or contact the Fort Mill SafeSplash + SwimLabs location at (803) 339-0204 or LObrien@safesplashswimlabs.com.

Greg "Ricky Bobby" Rickabaugh has lived in the Fort Mill and York County community since 2006. He has covered the area while a reporter for The Charlotte Observer and a freelance writer for The Fort Mill...