London 2012 Aquatics centre gets a roof

The process has begun to lift the roof of the Zaha Hadid-designed 2012 Olympic aquatics centre into place. The sweeping, wave-shaped roof to the aquatics centre designed by Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid, will mark the gateway to the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London.

Originally estimated to cost £73 million, it is now estimated to come in at £251 million, despite the stingray-shaped roof being scaled down and redesigned amid cost fears. A bridge connecting the roof to the main park will cost another £61 million.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Organizing Committee said"The design of the roof is iconic and will be one of the lasting images of the London 2012 Games"

The 160-meter long column-free roof is made up of steel, aluminum covering and timber cladding and will rest on two concrete supports at one end and a supporting wall at the other.The 17,500 seat center will host swimming, diving and water polo during the Games, but will be reduced to 2,500 seats afterwards.

"The Aquatics Center is on track to be a fantastic gateway to the Games," said David Higgins, chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority."The lift of the sweeping wave-shaped roof is one of the toughest construction and engineering challenges on the Olympic Park and will showcase the world class expertise involved in delivering the venues and infrastructure for London 2012."