Water starts flowing at 2012 Canoe venue
17 August 2010
New images released by the London 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) show water now flowing at the new white water canoe centre.
The turning on of the water pumps to fill the centre's canoe course keeps progress at the venue on track for completion later this year as the first brand new 2012 venue.
The Lee Valley White Water Centre is being built by the ODA near Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, UK and will host the canoe slalom events during the 2012 Olympic Games.
Before and after 2012, the venue will be owned and managed by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) as a sporting and leisure facility for canoeing and white-water rafting, as well as a major competition and training venue for elite events.
The ODA started construction work on the venue in July 2009 and over 150 people are now working on site. Works on the new lake and competition courses have now been completed allowing water to begin flowing at the venue and testing work to begin on the canoe courses.
The internal fit-out is also now underway on the two-storey facility building and landscaping works have started, keeping the venue on track to be finished later this year. A video blog showing the water flowing and construction progress at the venue can also now be viewed on the London 2012 website
ODA chairman John Armitt said, "With water flowing down the courses at the White Water Centre we are getting our first look at the facilities that the world's best canoeists will compete on in 2012. With the venue due to be completed later this year, we are also on track to deliver an early sporting legacy for the East of England region well before the Games begin."
The Lee Valley White Water Centre is being built in the heart of the 10,000 acre Lee Valley Regional Park, on a 10 hectare site covering an area the equivalent of 25 full-size football pitches, and will include:
- An Olympic standard 300m competition course - a boat conveyor to transport participants to the course start in their rafts or canoes
- A 160m intermediate/training course - the intermediate course will help create an inclusive and comprehensive sports programme in legacy from novice paddler through to elite competitors
- Lake - finish lake area of 10,000m2 (1 hectare / 2.5 acres)
- A facility building and pumping house - containing a reception, café, changing rooms, admin offices, spectator viewing facilities, storage, and water pump/filtration plant
- Landscaping works - with path and bridge networks throughout the venue to facilitate spectator viewing and access
Construction of the Lee Valley White Water Centre is due to be completed for Games training and testing in 2010-11 and will open to the public for rafting and canoeing in April 2011.
During the Games, temporary seating will be installed around the venue for spectators. After the Games, the spectator seating will be removed, and the venue will be developed into the Lee Valley White Water Centre, creating a major leisure attraction for canoeing and white water rafting as well as a venue for future international competition and sports development opportunities.
STAY CONNECTED
Receive the information you need when you need it through our world-leading magazines, newsletters and daily briefings.
CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
