Leadville's only publicly accessible swimming facility is in danger of shutting down permanently, and community members are racing to raise money to keep it open.

Since the Lake County Aquatic Center officially closed in 2021, Swim Squared has been the only pool for miles near Leadville. The studio's owners taught 150 kids to swim in that pool — roughly 5% of the city's population. An owner estimated the business could make it to September before being unable to pay rent.

Some members have already quit their memberships because of the Willow fire, including a group that used the facility for triathlon cross-training, further straining the business's finances. The owners described the struggle as one felt broadly across their customer base, with residents cutting back on discretionary spending wherever possible.

In the past five years, 129 people have drowned in Colorado, according to a Total Aquatic Training and Education Institute report. The co-leader of the Lake County Water Safety Task Force and Executive Director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance expressed concern that number could rise if fewer children learn how to swim. "Knowing how to swim and having basic water competency is a layer of protection against drowning," she said.

Beyond drowning safety, the pool also serves Leadville residents seeking aquatherapy, birthday party venues, or simply recreational swimming. The owners emphasized that the facility was built as a community-first endeavor. "We poured our heart and soul into this place because it was something that we wanted to do for the community," an owner said. "It's really hard for me the idea of closing because the people that we do have constantly are saying we're so glad you're here."

The co-leader of the Lake County Water Safety Task Force created a GoFundMe page for Swim Squared after hearing the business may only have a few months left. Within two days, the campaign had raised $1,000, though organizers say $20,000 is needed to keep the facility operational for a few more months.

Whether the GoFundMe campaign will reach its $20,000 goal in time to prevent closure before September remains to be seen.