London Olympics Aquatics Centre faces uncertain future after the Olympics – London Olymics 2012
Zaha Hadid designed London Aquatics Centre has failed to attract any bidders for post 2012 London Olympic Games operation. This is the latest problem to face the project has faced since its inception. The contentious Aquatics Centre will cost £1 million
a year for maintenance and no one is willing to take-up operations after the Olympics.
The Olympic are famous for bringing in money and improved infrastructure to host cities but London seems to be in a lot of trouble ever since its preparations for the mega event.
The beginning of the Aquatics Centre brought its own set of unique issues. First, the centre was unable to find an architect to complete it in a reasonable price and specified time because of its complex roof and building structure. The project was first
estimated to be completed in £75 million but now it is expected to consume a huge amount of £278 million. Even this estimated cost is not finalised and the expenses are likely to increase by an additional £11 million.
The Centre will include two pools of 50 m each for swimming and a 25 m pool for diving. It is scheduled to host the swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and some pentathlons events. It was designed to house 17,500 athletes and officials during the Olympic
Games. To reduce its construction costs and to make the structure a little easier to build, organizers have planned to reduce its accommodation from 17500 to 2500, which is not enough for such a world class event.
Initial plans called for conversion of the space into a community centre after the Olympics. It would remain an elite facility for athletes and almost 800,000 guests are expected to visit it every year.
London management is currently in search for an operator to continue the project but the issues arising with its 160m long roof that weighs more than 3000 tons have scared of any interested parties. Moreover, its wood interior is vulnerable to damp.
A British engineer said, "It's a phenomenally expensive bit of kit. It's almost a piece of art."
Moreover, its complex design will be impossible to alter or add any restaurants or changing rooms which could be beneficial to future users.
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