Venue Guide: 2012 London Olympics Water Polo Arena
For the first time in the history of the Olympics, water polo will not have to share a pool with another Olympic event. The 2012 London Olympics have included a temporary building for water polo. This 47 million dollar building, designed by David Morley Architects, is built with the intention of being disassembled afterwards and the various pieces will be used in construction throughout the UK. The ecological components do not end there! The inflatable silver roof is made from recycled PVC cushions. This modern looking venue features a 37 meter, sky blue pool, void of any lane lines or other non-water polo distractions. Warning-water polo fans best wear their waterproof mascara and leave the suede jackets at home. The seating at this venue is so close to the action, fans should expect to get splashed a bit. Talk about a well-planned venue for interactive Olympic fun!
Here are the details:
Location: The water polo venue is located alongside the Aquatics Centre in the south-east corner of the Olympic Park, between the Olympic Stadium and Stratford City
Year Built: Work began in the spring of 2011, first venue completely ready in the spring of 2012.
Seating Capacity: 5000 seats
Used for other sports: No, First time ever for Water Polo only.
Use after the Olympics: This is a temporary building, created to be dismantled after the Olympics. The pool and the stands will be deconstructed after the Olympics and Paralympics and re-used by the UK construction industry. The foundations can be unscrewed and used elsewhere in the UK.
Unique Features: Designed by David Morley Architects… Silver colored inflatable roof made of recycled PVC cushions… The sloping roof is designed to provide extra insulation and reduce condensation… The building includes a 37 meter competition pool, warm-up pool and ancillary accommodations… This 2012 London Olympic Water Polo venue is the first dedicated stadium for this sport in the history of the Olympics… The venue was created with the fans in mind. The fans will be so close to the action, they should expect to get splashed… The seats are set up so that there is a wall of people ready to cheer their team to victory.. As this is a special water polo venue, the bottom of the pool is totally sky blue, unlike previous Olympics with the lines of the swimming lanes… 700 water polo balls will be used in the 2012 London Olympics…The Olympic Water Polo Arena has many food and drink stands, toilets, baby changing facility and London 2012 Shop as well as the Games Mobility service. This arena is the first venue open and ready, complete with signage…The water polo events are already sold out.
