Michael Phelps Visits Boise to Support the Greater Boise Aquatic Center

Boise received a wave of inspiration when 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps visited the Treasure Valley to help raise funds for the Greater Boise Aquatic Center (GBAC)—a project designed to change the future of swimming, water safety, and community wellness in Idaho.

Hosted at the Boise Centre, Phelps joined KTVB Sports Director Jay Tust for an evening focused on water safety, accessibility, and the life-changing power of swimming. The event brought together community leaders, families, athletes, and supporters committed to building a state-of-the-art aquatic center for Boise’s growing population.

A Vision for a Safer, Stronger, and More Accessible Boise

The Greater Boise Aquatic Center will be a year-round, Olympic-style facility located in southeast Boise. With multiple competition-ready pools, dedicated lesson spaces, and room to host championship-level meets, GBAC will fill a longstanding need for expanded aquatic facilities in the region.

Beyond competition, the project is built around a mission to expand water-safety education, especially for children and families who currently lack access to quality swim lessons.

Phelps reinforced this urgency, highlighting that drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children—yet also one of the most preventable.

“Access to pools and swim lessons saves lives,” Phelps emphasized. “We can dramatically reduce drownings by ensuring every child has the chance to learn water safety.”

This message aligns directly with the Greater Boise Aquatic Foundation’s mission to make swimming safe, accessible, and affordable for every household in the Treasure Valley.

Phelps Opens Up About Mental Health and the Power of Sport

In addition to discussing water safety, Phelps spoke candidly about his journey with mental health, noting he has faced moments of deep struggle—even moments of contemplating suicide. His message underscored the role sports, community, and structure can play in supporting mental wellness.

“Time — we don’t get it back,” Phelps said. “If we can get a little bit out of every single moment, aren’t we succeeding?”

His vulnerability resonated with the Boise audience, reinforcing that the future aquatic center won’t just be a place to swim—it will be a place to grow, connect, and build healthier lives.

A Fundraising Milestone — and a Motivation to Keep Going

The event marked a major milestone for the GBAC fundraising campaign. With Phelps’ support, the event surpassed the fundraising goal, bringing in nearly $350,000—far exceeding the initial target of $250,000.

This success demonstrates strong community belief in the project, yet the journey isn’t over. The Greater Boise Aquatic Foundation continues to raise funds to make the vision a reality and to expand year-round swim access across the Treasure Valley.

Why GBAC Matters for Boise

Creating a world-class aquatic center in Boise will:

• Increase water safety through year-round swim lessons

• Provide affordable access for underserved communities

• Give Idaho athletes a place to train, grow, and compete

• Bring championship swim meets (and tourism revenue) to Boise

• Support health, fitness, and family recreation for all ages

It’s more than a pool—it’s infrastructure for a safer, healthier, and more connected Idaho.

How You Can Support the Mission

The Greater Boise Aquatic Foundation is calling on the community to help keep the momentum strong. Every donation—large or small—brings Idaho one step closer to a place where every child can swim safely and every family can access high-quality aquatic programs.

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