London 2012 Olympics- Aquatic Centre now complete

The London 2012 Olympics is exactly 1 year away from today, and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) just announced that the Aquatics Centre- the Gateway to the Olympics Park is finally complete.

About the Aquatics Centre

The Aquatics Centre was designed by world renowned architect, Zaha Hadid with construction starting just over 3 years ago in June 2008. The building comprises of 3 swimming pools holding approximately 10 million litres of water, 6 unique diving boards and 17, 500 daisy buttercup yellow viewing seats.

The Aquatic Centre roof is a beautiful, smooth, clean structure, resembling a sweeping wave, and is longer than Heathrow’s Terminal 5. The venue will be used for Swimming, Paralympic Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming and the Aquatics discipline of the Modern Pentathlon.

Many companies throughout the UK have won contracts to provide goods and services for the Aquatics Centre. For example, Littlewood Fencing from Battle, East Sussex will provide the timber deck surfacing, Aqua Pharos from East Kilbride, Scotland is in control of the pool lighting and Sound Research Laboratories Ltd from Suffolk is providing acoustic services.

London 2012 Organising Chairman Sebastian Coe commented for e-architect: "The Aquatics Centre is going to be a spectacular venue for the Games in 2012 and its iconic roof will be a fantastic addition to the east London skyline. At Games-time, I personally hope it will be the scene of further success for Team GB, but just as importantly I look forward to London at last having a state of the art aquatics facility for elite and community use for decades to come. Progress has been impressive, but the long term significance of this venue is something really quite special."

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “The build project for London 2012 has been a huge success for the British construction industry, public sector and UK plc as a whole. The completion of the Aquatics Centre is the final permanent world-class sport venue to be finished on the Park and a proud moment for the ODA. All those that have worked on the Olympic Park deserve huge credit for what they have achieved. The venues are stunning and the stage is now set for us to put on the greatest sporting show on earth.”

After the 2012 Olympics, the site will be transformed into a venue for the local community which will include a crèche, family-friendly changing facilities, a café and a new public plaza.

Source: Aquatics Centre unveiled as main Olympic Park venues completed on time and budget