The Aquatic Centre is going to be one of the most splendid attractions of the Olympic Park in London 2012 Olympics. The main venue for London 2012 Summer Olympics and London 2012 Summer Paralympics, this indoor facility was the first venue to be designed and the last to be completed. In the wake of escalating budget, nervous builders had nearly abandoned the construction of this venue. According to the original design, temporary extensions weren't supposed to be a part of the structure. Instead, it had a roof, big enough to cover both temporary and permanent wings, but the idea seemed too extravagant. The Aquatic Center lies on the southeastern edge of the Olympic Park with direct proximity to Stratford. A new gateway for the pedestrians into the Olympic Park through the east-west bridge (called the Stratford City Bridge) passes directly over the Centre. Several smaller pedestrian bridges connect the site to the Olympic Park over the existing canal.The magnificence and grandeur of the venue is destined to give the fans of water sports a memorable experience.
Fast Facts
Sports Events Swimming, Diving, Paralympic Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, Modern Pentathlon.
Location On the Southeastern corner of the Olympic Park
New or Existing A new addition
Permanent or Temporary Permanent venue, with temporary extension during the Games
Number of Events 192 events
Aquatics Centre - The Construction
The Aquatics Center is designed by Pritzker Prize winner and internationally acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid and constructed by Balfour Beatty. Located in the Olympic Park at Stratford in East London, the construction of this colossal indoor facility, with its unique architecture and curved roof, began in 2008 and was completed in July 2011. This venue is a part of the 'gateway' to the Olympic Park and is the first venue one can sight on entering the park. More than two-thirds of the spectators are expected to enter the Olympic Park over a vast bridge that runs atop this venue. The inspiration for the architectural concept of the London Aquatic Centre was fluid geometries of water in motion, creating spaces and a surrounding environment that reflect the riverside landscapes of the Olympic Park. One of the most striking features of the venue is its magnificent wave-like roof, which is 160m long and up to 80m wide, giving it a longer single span than Heathrow Terminal 5.The six-board dive tower is made from 462 tons of concrete. The steel roof weighs 3,200 tons. The three pools have an intake capacity of around 10 million liters of water.
During The Games
The Aquatics Centre is designed with an inherent flexibility to accommodate 17,500 spectators during the London 2012 Olympics. The center will be used for the Olympic events of swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming and also for the Paralympic event of swimming.The majority of spectators will be seated in two temporary wings that will be taken down after the Games. The Aquatic Center consists of a 50m competition pool, a 25m competition diving pool, a 50m warm-up pool and a 'dry' warm-up area for the divers. The Water Polo competition will be held next to it in the temporary Water Polo Arena, with competition and warm-up pools. The two venues lie adjacent to each other in one of the most compact areas of the Olympic Park. To use the spaces available in the best possible way, some back-of-house facilities, such as space for broadcasters, catering and security will be shared between the two venues.
After The Games
After the games, the Aquatics Centre will be transformed into a facility for the local community, clubs and schools. The two temporary wings will be removed, although it will be possible to increase the capacity for major competitions. The Aquatics Centre will also have a cr�che and family-friendly changing facilities. There will also be a cafe, along with a new public plaza in front of the building.
How To Reach The Venue
The Aquatics Centre lies within the Olympic Park. With Stratford and Stratford International stations on the east side and West Ham station to the south, Olympic Park is quite easily accessible by public transport. The Olympic Park will be open to the spectators 90 minutes before the start of the first session.
Some Interesting Facts
Aquatics Centre 2012 London Olympics with its impeccable design promises a delightful show for the spectators. Here you will find all the information about the Aquatics Centre.
Aquatics Centre
- Four skeletons belonging to a prehistoric settlement were discovered and removed from the site of the center.
- The aquatics center was designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect Zaha Hadid in 2004 before London won the bid for the 2012 Olympics.
- The aquatics center with its unique architecture and a curved roof, will be the first venue the visitors will see when they enter the Olympic Park.
- 30,000 sections of Red Lauro timber has been used to build the enormous ceiling.
The Aquatics Centre promises to be a fantastic gateway to the Games in 2012 and a much-needed new community and elite sporting venue for the capital afterwards. The completion of the Aquatics Centre has added a new chapter in a British success story. Tens of thousands of workers and business houses across the UK worked night day to construct this marvelous venue.