London Olympics Information

London 2012 Olympics Guidance, News and Information

About Aquatics Centre

Capacity: 22,500

Cost: £268m

Location: Olympic Park

Status
The Aquatics Centre will have a total capacity of 22,500, out of which 17,500 seats will be for the diving and pool competition, and the other 5,000 will be in the water polo section of the centre. Only 2,500 seats will be retained after the Games. It would be located in the Olympic Park. The Centre is planned to be a permanent venue which will continue to serve as a premier aquatic facility.

About Aquatics Centre

The futuristic S-shaped design of the Aquatics Centre represents the flow of water. The sweeping roof at the Aquatics Centre will be a groundbreaking steel structure with and aluminium covering. The building has been designed by architect Zaha Hadid and the contract for construction has been awarded to Balfour Beatty. Construction work on the site began in July 2008 and is expected to be completed by 2011.

Eleven buildings have been demolished and 80,000 tonnes of soil has been excavated and cleaned. Over 500 metres of river wall has been built. This will widen the river by 8 metres.

As with the other Olympic Park venues, sustainability is the key theme at the Aquatic Centre building. The pool water will be reused for the cleaning of toilets. Renewable sources of energy are being installed to reduce the impact of the mega-event on the environment.

After the Games the Aquatics Centre will be transformed into a community 'leisure water' facility, which will be used by elite swimmers, local clubs, universities and schools. The Centre will also house a cr�che, changing facilities and a refreshment area.