The designs for the world-class White Water Canoe Centre to be used during the London 2012 Games and leave major sporting and leisure attraction in legacy were unveiled by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) today.
The new images were released as the planning application process for the venue gets underway.
The White Water Canoe Centre will be built in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire to host the canoe / kayak slalom events during the Olympic Games in 2012. After the Games, the venue will be developed to become a sporting and leisure facility for canoeing and white-water rafting, as well as a major competition venue for elite events. The Centre will be owned and managed by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, who own the land.
The planning application process for the White Water Canoe Centre is now underway following public consultation with local residents on the venue plans earlier this year. The venue planning application outlines images and details for:
- An international standard Canoe / Kayak Slalom Course – an Olympic standard 300m course, with a warm-up course and finish lake. A new artificial water body will be constructed and the white-water will be created through a system of pumps
- New parklands - the canoe course will be located within a wider parkland setting designed by leading landscape architects Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA). The landscaping works will include path and bridge networks throughout the venue to facilitate spectator access and viewing
- A new facility building – designed by architects FaulknerBrowns and containing a reception, café, changing rooms, shop, offices, spectator viewing facilities, equipment storage and water pump/filtration facilities
David Higgins, ODA Chief Executive said: 'With the planning process underway we are firmly on-track to deliver the new world-class facilities at Broxbourne in good time for the Games. These plans have been created by leading architects and landscape designers and will help us deliver first-class facilities for the world’s best athletes in 2012 and leave the lasting legacy of a major leisure attraction for Broxbourne and the East of England region for many years to come.'
Chairman of the London Organising Committee Sebastian Coe said: 'Broxbourne will provide a world class venue for Games time and an excellent facility for elite athlete and community usage after the Games, living up to our promise of leaving a lasting legacy for sport. We look forward to seeing this exciting venue taking shape.'
Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority said: 'We are delighted that a part of London 2012 is coming to Broxbourne. This is great news for the local area, the Eastern region and also for the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, which is proud to be involved in the development of this world class sporting facility. This site in the River Lee Country Park will be a fantastic venue for the White Water Canoe Centre. And beyond 2012, we are committed to delivering a major sporting and leisure attraction for this area – a true and lasting Olympic legacy.'
Richard Ellis, East of England Development Agency (EEDA) chair, said: 'The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has worked closely with the Olympic Delivery Authority, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and Sport England East to ensure that the plans for this site go beyond the requirements of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. EEDA’s aim is to secure a lasting legacy from the Broxbourne site, the benefits of which will be a major boost for local communities and businesses in the region for years to come.'
Chris Matthews from landscape architects, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA), said: 'We were thrilled to be involved in the landscaping design of this venue which presented the unique challenge of creating a mountain-stream environment in an existing flat landscape. Like the 2012 Games themselves, our designs for the venue go beyond sport - our vision was to create not only a world-class sports venue for 2012 and beyond, but also an exciting new park landscape, creating new wildlife habitats and becoming a visitors’ attraction in its own right. The new landscape will help encourage activity and interaction throughout the site, creating a vibrant new amenity for generations to come.'
Michael Hall from FaulknerBrowns Architects said: 'We are delighted to have been involved in the design of this world-class venue for the 2012 Games and legacy. The challenge has been to create a modern white water facility with its requirement for exciting but consistent high flows of water in a flat landscape. We have worked closely with landscape architects MVVA and engineers Cundall to create that all too rare fusion of landscape, engineering and architecture. Our designs for the venue facilities building have been conceived as a simple timber form which appears to float in the landscape from distant views. On approach, a masonry structure forms the entrance level which grows out of the landscape. This simple base contains the wet related facilities and is orientated to the boat launch area. At first floor the external timber decked terrace wraps up to form the indoor accommodation including cafe and offices and frames fantastic views over the course and wider landscape.'
The Broxbourne White Water Canoe Centre will be built on what is currently the overflow car park for the Showground site of the River Lee Country Park, between Waltham Cross and Theobalds Grove stations.
The contract for construction companies to build the new venue and facilities is currently out to tender and is expected to be awarded in early 2009, with works starting in Spring 2009.
The venue is due to be completed for Games training and testing in 2010-11. During the Games, temporary seating will be installed around the venue for 12,000 spectators. After the Games, the spectator seating will be removed, and the venue will be developed into the Broxbourne White Water Canoe Centre, creating a major leisure attraction for canoeing and white water rafting as well as a venue for future international competition.
Notes to Editors
Images of the White Water Canoe Centre are available from the ODA press office on 020 3 2012 700
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For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 700.
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