An army of athletes is coming together to defend Crystal Palace stadium from the “greatest threat to the progress of sport” after plans to demolish it were unveiled.

They are forming a protest group after the Mayor of London Boris Johnson launched a consultation providing four alternatives for the future of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre site.

He wants to preserve the Olympic-sized swimming pool, and put in a health and fitness suite overlooking the park, a reception on the ground floor, cafe, soft play facility, climbing wall, terracing and a playground.

All four options include the building of a primary school and a new building for Capel Manor College, where the athletics track sits.

And, under the proposals, the indoor track could also be removed from the sports centre.

A consultation exhibition opened at the sports centre on Monday and the Mayor said the regeneration of the building will benefit the community.

Your Local Guardian:

The indoor running track is under threat

Athletics groups that train at the track have attacked the proposals.

John Powell, head coach of Crystal Palace-based Trackspeed1 UK, said: “We shouldn’t have got anywhere near this stage without proper consultation with the people who work from here, and a check on the reality of how much use the stadium and indoor track actually receives.

“I have spoken to a number of people since this news hit my radar earlier in the week. “John Regis is still the British 200m record holder and he both trained and competed at Crystal Palace. “He was oblivious to the proposals and was outraged when I told him.

“I have attempted to contact Lord Sebastian Coe too as surely he will have something to say around the Olympic legacy issue.

“The impact on south London, where there is a wealth of sporting talent, will be disastrous.”

Sprint coach Mr Powell said the argument that the stadium was underused was completely flawed.

He said: “It is the only purpose-built stadium in the capital bar the Olympic Park.

“The only other indoor facilities are at Sutton, Lee Valley, or West London, all of which are served by the minimum of public transport service, and which lie in hugely congested traffic areas.

“I do sympathise with local management to a degree though – I am sure if they had been given the financial backing to invest in and market the athletics side of their business there they probably would have done.

“Instead the place has been left to rot.

"I have every intention of playing a prominent part in the action group, along with any other efforts that can be made to reverse what I regard to be one of the greatest threats to the progress of sport in London and the UK in modern times. 

“These plans must be stopped."

Your Local Guardian:

John Powell says Crystal Palace stadium has been 'left to rot'

South London Harriers has been based at the track for 20 years and president Mick Mein said closing it down would be a disaster.

Mr Mein said: “If it closes there will be no athletics stadium south of the river, which is serious if you think of the legacy of the Olympics.

“It is a neighbourhood sports centre we have elite athletes, but also community groups there and we have people seeing they can achieve and the role models there.

“If the track is closed down completely we will lose a whole section of our club overnight because there is nowhere to go.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “This is an exciting opportunity to reclaim one of London’s greatest sporting assets to benefit the local community and beyond.

“Set within the stunning Crystal Palace Park, and extremely well-connected since the birth of London Overground, the regeneration of this historic site will ensure its lasting legacy as a visitor attraction and centre of sporting and educational excellence, creating much needed regeneration in the heart of south London.”

In response to concerns about the proposed changes to the stadium, a Mayor’s Office spokeswoman said: “It is a live consultation and everyone is encouraged to have their say.”

THE PLANS

Option 1: Turn the stadium into a sports arena.

Put a two-storey primary school on the left hand side of where the stadium was and erect a two storey Capel Manor College building on the right.

Option 2: Take down the stadium and landscape the area where it used to be.

Put a one-storey primary school on the left hand side of where the stadium was and put a two-storey Capel Manor College building on the right.

Option 3: Turn the stadium into a sports arena.

Put a two-storey primary school on the left hand side of where the stadium was along with a two-storey Capel Manor College building.

Option 4: Take down the stadium and landscape the area where it used to be.

Put a two-storey primary school on the left hand side of where the stadium was along with a two-storey Capel Manor College building.

Your Local Guardian:

TAKE PART IN THE CONSULTATION

The consultation paper and survey is available online at tinyurl.com/crystalpalace consultation until October 31.

The proposals are also on display in the entrance to the sports centre until October 27 during normal opening hours.