In 2007, when the programme was just starting up, visitors to the Park had a very different experience. Huge piles of cleaned earth and stockpiled materials for recycling were dotted around the landscape, as well as 52 electricity pylons that used to occupy the skyline. There were no venues to look at, the waterways were still hidden from view and the new Stratford International Station was the only shiny new structure to be seen. Visitors must have had great imaginations because even though there wasn’t much to see, they still seemed keen to come and get a sneak peek at what was planned.
52 pylons were removed from across the Olympic Park
Today, visitors get an incredible view – taking the public on a guided bus tour of the site, is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. There is so much to see that it is almost impossible to cover it all, but our bus drivers Tom and Arzu are on hand to make sure that the guests get the best possible experience.
Visitors get driven past the sporting venues, which are now some of the most visible structures in the area, from the Aquatics Centre, Olympic Stadium, to the sheer scale of the Athlete’s Village. The tours also take in other projects that make the Olympic Park so functional and well connected, such as the new bridges that pull all the aspects of the Park together, and the Energy Centre and Primary Substation. And I guarantee that on every tour, someone will ask about ‘Pinky and Perky’ - the bright pink features of the Pumping Station.
The Pumping Station will collect and remove waste water from the main venues and buildings in the Olympic Park during the Games.
We have now taken over 105,000 people from around the UK on tours, which shows how popular the tours now are. Our 100,000th visitor to the Park, Siobhan from Hackney, went on a tour during London Open House weekend, when she was one of 4,000 people who visited the Park in a single weekend.
Siobhan, the 100,000th visitor to the Olympic Park, was presented vith a certificate by former sprinter John Regis.
Siobhan joins a long list of visitors that includes such illustrious names as HRH The Queen and Prince Phillip, South African President Jacob Zuma, Archbishop Desmond Tutu (below left), 100m Olympic champion Usain Bolt and thousands of local people and groups who all depart with the same pride in what is being achieved and anticipation for the approaching Games in 2012.
For anyone who hasn’t been lucky enough to get a space on a visit, you can keep up-to date by viewing the London 2012 webcams, as they are easily the next best thing!
If you have been on a tour, I'd love to hear comments and feedback. What was your favourite venue? What suprised you the most? We would love to hear from you and it helps us make the experience even better.
