Olympic Trials Pool Acquisition

Imagine Douglas County's first 50-meter competition pool, with Olympic history built in.

At the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha, Colorado's own Missy Franklin warmed up in a Myrtha pool before qualifying for the London Games, where she went on to win four gold medals.

That very pool is available now. If we act quickly, it could find a second life right here at home. But the opportunity to secure it is limited.

Colorado Aquatics Foundation is working to bring it to the planned Colorado Aquatic Center at the Zebulon Regional Sports Complex near Sterling Ranch. This isn't just about preservation. It's about putting it back to work for Colorado.

As the center's 50-meter competition tank, it would provide 10 long-course or 20 short-course lanes, with flexible configurations for swimming, water polo, diving, and other aquatic programs. A separate 25-yard instructional and therapy pool would support swim lessons, drowning prevention, rehabilitation, adaptive programs, and first responder training.

Repurposing this pool can reduce construction costs compared with purchasing a new system, while giving a remarkable chapter of American swimming renewed purpose.

Time is short. CAF must raise the funds and complete the necessary steps before this acquisition opportunity expires. Unlike a pool we could simply order from a manufacturer, this one carries a history that cannot be recreated.

Our Colorado Gives goal is $100,000 of the final $475,000 needed to acquire the pool. This is our fundraising target through Colorado Gives, not the full acquisition requirement. CAF is also pursuing corporate sponsorships, major gifts, other charitable platforms, and additional support to close the gap.

Every gift helps us make progress while this opportunity remains available and brings us closer to a facility that could serve generations of Colorado families, swimmers, and first responders.

Don't let this pool slip away. Help us secure it and bring Olympic history home. Give today.