World-class contractors compete to build London 2012 Aquatics Centre

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) announced that Balfour Beatty, Eiffel and Hochtief have been selected to take part in the next stage of the competition to win the construction contract.

Each of three companies has been involved in a number of major construction projects. For example, Eiffel with the Millau Bridge in France, Balfour Beatty with Heathrow Terminal 5 and Hochtief with Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: "This is an opportunity for a world-class construction company to build a world-class London 2012 venue fit for the Games and a lasting legacy.

"We are pleased to have such a high quality shortlist competing to build the Aquatics Centre which will form a spectacular gateway to the Olympic Park from Stratford. It is a challenging programme but we are on track to deliver."

London 2012 Organising Committee Chairman Sebastian Coe said: "The Aquatics Centre will host the best athletes in the world during the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and afterwards will be an important base for elite British swimmers, and a new swimming and fitness facility for local people. It is another example of the fantastic sporting legacy that the Games will leave."

During the Games the Zaha Hadid designed Aquatics Centre, featuring a spectacular sweeping roof, will mark the entrance to the Olympic Park from Stratford. The Aquatics Centre will host Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo finals and elements of Modern Pentathlon. After the Games temporary seating will be removed, leaving in legacy a 2,500 capacity swimming venue that can be boosted to 3,500 seats, and local community and school swimming facilities.

Eiffel, Balfour Beatty and Hochtief will now enter the competitive dialogue process and the ODA hopes to appoint the preferred contractor by the end of the year. The Aquatics Centre construction contract could potentially include further work in the surrounding zone, including a temporary water polo venue, landscaping and a permanent bridge and public plaza.

Work is well underway clearing and excavating the site before construction starts in 2008, with the venue ready for elite training and test events in 2011.

Notes

Following an OJEU contract notice published in March the following companies have met the ODA's pre-qualification criteria and been selected to take part in the competitive dialogue process:

Hochtief, recent projects include Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Monchengladbach (Germany) football stadium and Cologne Trade Fair.

Eiffel, recent projects include Millau Viaduct (France), Canary Wharf DS8 building and Nemo-Wodnyswiat sports complex (Poland) (by parent company - Eiffage).

Balfour Beatty, recent projects include Heathrow Terminal 5, King's Cross Station Northern Ticket Hall, University College London PPP.

• Revised concept designs for the Aquatics Centre were published in Nov 2006 that focussed the design on the venue's sustainable and practical use after the Games. A permanent structure will be built with temporary seating added for Games use and removed to enable the efficient conversion of the venue for legacy use.
• The venue will feature a diving pool and two 50m pools equipped with the latest pool technology, including moveable floors and booms, to provide maximum flexibility for community use after the Games, such as mother and toddler classes.
• The Zaha Hadid team are currently progressing with the next stages of design of the Aquatics Centre (RIBA Stage D), working with leading swimming pool architects S&P and structural engineer ARUP.

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