Brad Kahlefeldt and wife Radka, both Olympic athletes, returned to Wagga a couple of weeks ago and purchased the Copland Street swimming pool. Soon, they will open their own swim school.

"We decided a couple of years ago that we wanted to go into business and do something sports related, because that's what we've been doing for so long," Mr Kahlefeldt said.

"We also wanted to come home to be with family now that we have our daughter."

A former world number one, Australian representative at two Olympics in 2008 and 2012, and a Commonwealth Games gold medalist in 2006, Mr Kahlefedt has been chasing summers for two decades.

Living half the year on the Gold Coast and the other half in Europe has meant that the family have rarely seen a cold day. Until now.

"It's been non-stop summer for 20 years," Mr Kahlefedt said.

"It was a shock coming back to Wagga in the middle of winter, but my wife really loves it. She's from the Czech Republic, so she's used to the cold.

"Wagga also has some great sporting history too. There's some of the best running tracks, I think, in Australia."

While Mr Kahlefedt has now retired from his sport, Mrs Kahlefedt will continue to compete.

"It's tough at the moment without any races on and no idea when they will start back up again," Mr Kahlefedt said.

"There's a lot of uncertainty."

Strangely though, the COVID-19 induced downturn has afforded the couple the perfect opportunity to switch gears and build their business.

"Kids still need to learn to swim even if COVID-19 has closed all the swim schools," Mr Kahlefedt said.

"We don't want to see a spike in drownings when summer arrives so we have to get them ready. Spring is only a few weeks away and the kids haven't been in the pool since March, it's dangerous.

"It's a good opportunity for us to get stuck into getting this business happening."

The Kahlefedts are now taking expressions of interest to join their swim school and squad training sessions, via their website waggaswimhub.com.

Wagga Swim School, the previous occupier of the Copland Street facility, is in the process of relocating to a new facility in central Wagga.