A SWIMMING coach has warned the relocation of his club could force it to close.

Greenwich swimming clubs have been meeting over the last fortnight to thrash out proposals made by Greenwich Council and Greenwich Leisure Ltd, a not-for-profit trust which manages leisure centres.

Under the proposals, first reported by News Shopper in April, Eltham Stingrays club will move from the Eltham Centre, Archery Road, to Thamesmere Leisure Centre, Thamesmere Drive, Thamesmead.

The move is part of proposals in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics, which would see a new Greenwich borough club set up and each current club having it's own 'home' pool.

But now talks have begun again, Stingrays coach Griffith Kennedy is restarting his petition against the proposals.

He said: “I think it’s disgusting.

“This would take the life out of the club.

“Around 75 per cent of our swimmers live around the Eltham pool.”

And Mr Kennedy said the club’s membership could fall from 130 to as low as 50 if the move goes ahead, preventing it from competing in galas.

He said: “We’ve lost some swimmers already because our pool time is so bad - a move to Thamesmead could force the club to fold.”

Under the plans Sharks of Mottingham Swimming Club will move to Waterfront Leisure Centre, Woolwich High Road, and Greenwich Borough Mariners will stay at the Eltham Centre.

Greenwich Swimming Club will stay at Arches Leisure Centre, Trafalgar Road, Greenwich.

Chairman of Greenwich Swimming Club Jonathan Carter said: “The clubs are in consultation and are putting together a response in terms of trying to a find a way forward.

“My main concern is that we do the best for all our swimmers and we don’t disadvantage any swimmers in any reorganisation.”

Greenwich Leisure Ltd confirmed discussions were taking place but said there was no timetable for any possible move.

News Shopper is awaiting a response from Greenwich Council.