Swimming Hall of Fame to exit Fort Lauderdale after 50 years

The International Swimming Hall of Fame voted last week to cut ties with Fort Lauderdale, after nearly 50 years headquartered at One Hall of Fame Drive.

The nonprofit’s five-decade agreement ends in February 2015. It had planned to be in storage for two years while Fort Lauderdale developed a new aquatic complex for $32.4 million, hall director Bruce Wigo told the Sun-Sentinel.

Wigo looked to negotiate for a $50,000 annual stipend and for the city to handle maintenance and utility expenses.

The hall, which weighed moving to Pompano Beach or Hollywood about 10 years ago, does not plan to maintain a satellite operation in Fort Lauderdale. Its new location has not been decided yet. [Sun-Sentinel] – Mark Maurer