The dynamic 5,000 seat venue, designed by David Morley Architects, will host Water Polo during the 2012 Olympic Games and has been designed to be taken down after the Games to be relocated and reused elsewhere either in full or in sections.

The asymmetric Water Polo venue will be wrapped in silver and its rippling roof, made of air inflated recycled pvc cushions for extra insulation, slopes up from the main pedestrian entrance to the Olympic Park. The light-weight venue has been designed to complement the adjacent Aquatics Centre and opens up views towards the Olympic Stadium at the end of the bridge.

Construction is on track to start in spring 2011 and be complete by spring 2012.

Olympic Delivery Authority Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'The Water Polo Arena is a distinctive and dynamic addition to the entrance to the Olympic Park. Its innovative shape and lightweight structure will look great and work well for spectators and athletes alike and it can be reused or recycled after the Games.'

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: 'Bringing Water Polo into the Olympic Park and locating it right next to the Aquatics Centre at the ‘Gateway to the Games’ will be a huge boost to the profile of the sport.  The men’s Water Polo Final will be the last event of the Aquatics programme and the Arena will host a thrilling finale.'

Water Polo Arena factfile:

• The sloping roof is made from air-inflated recycled phthalate-free PVC cushions which provide extra insulation and reduce condensation.
• The venue is wrapped in a distinctive silver membrane with translucent shard shaped panels and its asymmetric shape gives the best sightlines for viewing Water Polo.
• Contains a competition pool (37mx23mx2m deep) and a slightly smaller warm-up pool.
• Provides step-ree access without the need for lifts.
• Reduces water use by 40 per cent through low flow taps and showers and waterless urinals.
• Has been designed to be taken down, relocated and reused after the Games in full or in parts. This includes incorporating materials available through the rental market to ensure reuse and reduce construction waste.
• Contractors and suppliers will be appointed to deliver the venue through the existing ODA managed package frameworks set up to efficiently deliver a range of temporary and smaller permanent venues.
• After the Games the riverside site to the north of the Aquatics Centre will be developed by the Olympic Park Legacy Company.

Notes to editors

Digital images of the Water Polo Arena can be downloaded at:
http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/locog?nav=pr140450723
 
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For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)20 3 2012 700.

The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.

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