ODA approves 2012 water polo arena plans
A temporary water polo arena, which will be used during the London 2012 Games, has been given the go ahead by the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) planning committee.
The proposed venue - designed by David Morley Architects - includes a sloping inflatable roof and will be able to accommodate 5,000 spectators during Games time. Facilities will include a 37m x 23m competition pool and a slightly smaller warm-up pool and has also been designed to be dismantled and reused elsewhere in legacy mode - either in full or in part.
ODA chief executive David Higgins said: "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." London 2012 organising committee chair Sebastian Coe added: "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."
Work is due to commence on the venue in spring 2011, with a scheduled completion date of spring 2012. Image: ODA