"As you can imagine, this was a very emotional decision and not an easy one for us to make, but in the end we have come to realise that the vision we have for our future and the vision the city has for its new Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex are not in alignment," wrote Wigo.

"I do want to personally thank you for your thoughtful and considerable efforts to make a new agreement and the design work for us, and for your very professional behaviour you demonstrated throughout our discussions.

"Our Board also wants it known how much ISHOF appreciates the support that the citizens of the City of Fort Lauderdale have given to our organisation over the past 50 years."

The decision came after directors at the ISHOF, which is dedicated to the history, memory, and recognition of the famous swimmers, divers, water polo players, synchronised swimmers, and persons involved in life saving activities and education announced that they were unhappy with the location of the Hall in the new Aquatic Complex.

They requested a $50,000 (£31,000/€36,000) stipend to cover the income from a private room that the Hall rents out for events, which would be eliminated in the new development plans.

ISHOF directors are unhappy about the proposed location of the hall in the plans to upgrade the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Centre 

But the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale claimed that they could not expect citizens to cover the costs of the Hall, which also wanted the city to cover the utility and maintenance costs involved in running it.

"We are not going to ask the taxpayers of Fort Lauderdale to subsidise the private operation of the International Swimming Hall of Fame," Mayor Jack Seiler said.

The Hall does not yet know where it will be relocating to however discussions are reportedly under way with Santa Clara in California.

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