{"id":135579,"date":"2015-06-05T10:06:25","date_gmt":"2015-06-05T17:06:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=135579"},"modified":"2015-06-05T10:39:25","modified_gmt":"2015-06-05T17:39:25","slug":"fort-lauderdale-may-make-last-gasp-attempt-to-keep-ishof","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/fort-lauderdale-may-make-last-gasp-attempt-to-keep-ishof\/","title":{"rendered":"Fort Lauderdale May Make Last Gasp Attempt to Keep ISHOF"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although all signs point to the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) making a move to Santa Clara, Calif., the City of Fort Lauderdale may be moved to take another run at keeping ISHOF in Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n

Tim O’Brien<\/strong>, the Fort Lauderdale Diving Team head coach from 1996-2006 and 2000 U.S. Olympic Coach, has continued to push for the City to find a way to keep ISHOF in Fort Lauderdale as well as build a new facility that would make sense for swimming and diving competitions.<\/p>\n

O’Brien believes that a new Request for Proposals for a different facility, focused on keeping ISHOF, being entertaining for swimming and diving competitions and enjoyable to tourists has a chance to keep ISHOF home.<\/p>\n

Here is O’Brien’s full letter regarding his request:<\/p>\n

To:<\/p>\n

Mayor Jack Seiler
\nCommissioner Bruce Roberts
\nCommissioner Dean Trantalis
\nCommissioner Robert McKinzie
\nCommissioner Romney Rogers<\/p>\n

Dear Commissioners & Interested Parties,<\/p>\n

I wanted to thank the Mayor and others within the City that helped make it possible for my father, Dr. Ron O\u2019Brien, to receive a \u201cstar\u201d on the City\u2019s Walk of Fame this past weekend. It was nice to see several of you in attendance and an honor our family is very proud of. We thank you.<\/p>\n

We had prepared one last, long winded letter urging you all to start over with the new aquatic center plans and issue a NEW RFP<\/u><\/strong>. But you\u2019ve heard it all before. We firmly believe that proceeding with the training center on top of a parking garage is a blunder of epic proportions.<\/p>\n

A new RFP would allow the City to look at other designs, the proper and profitable use of the space, and make that beautiful peninsula the EPICENTER<\/strong> of the beach. It could be a vibrant venue for the entire community, tourists, athletes and the original tenants; The International Swimming Hall of Fame. Instead, with the current plan, it will lose money and sit empty much of the year just as it does today on a gorgeous 85 degree day in May.Residents don’t use it. Tourists don’t use it.<\/p>\n

I urge the Mayor and City Commissioners to contact Bruce Wigo at ISHOF at 954-462-6536\u00a0to extend an olive branch and make every last attempt to keep them here in some capacity and start over so we can build a facility we are all proud of. It is not too late for the City of Fort Lauderdale to build something magical for EVERYONE in our City to enjoy including:<\/p>\n