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Latest Aerial Views of Lee Valley White Water Centre

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) have released new aerial images which show the site of the world-class Olympic White Water Canoe Centre for the London 2012 Games really taking shape on the borders of Waltham Cross (Hertfordshire) and Waltham Abbey (Essex). 

The venue is on schedule to be completed in October 2010, there will then follow a period of training and testing until April 2011 when the Lee Valley White Water Centre will be open for public use prior to the Olympics. 

Despite one of the worse winters on record the construction work continued through the bad weather period. There are now over 100 people working on the site and the concrete works are well underway with 160m intermediate/training course nearing completion and 300m Olympic competition course is progressing to the works timetable.

The two storey facility building is now structurally complete with internal fit out work now underway.  This building will contain a reception, cafe, changing rooms, admin offices, spectator viewing facilities, storage and water pump filtration plant.

The venue is being built on a 10 hectare site in River Lee Country Park covering an area equivalent to 25 full size football pitches and will hold enough water to fill 5,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: "These new aerial images are an exciting glimpse of another world-class London 2012 venue taking shape. We are on track to complete the White Water Canoe Centre later this year, helping deliver an early sporting legacy for the East of England region well before the Games in 2012."

Shaun Dawson, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority Chief Executive said: "As the only brand new Olympic venue open to the public before the Games in Spring 2011, the world class Lee Valley White Water Centre will be an enormous asset to the region.  We will offer a programme of white water rafting and canoeing for the general public, sports clubs, school and elite athletes.  The 300m long Olympic Course and the 160m Intermediate Course will ensure it is an inclusive centre providing fun and excitement for all ages and abilities.  In addition to providing a training ground for the next generation of elite canoeists.  Along with the Lee Valley White Water Centre, in legacy the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will also own and manage the VeloPark and the Hockey and Tennis Centre on the Olympic Park."

Paul Owen Chief Executive of the British Canoe Union comments: "This Lee Valley White Water Centre is really taking shape, we are now seeing just how impressive the facility will be.  This time last year it was difficult to conceptualise, but the completed facility building and the progress on the course footprint, really set the scene and provide a glimpse of the incredible legacy it will leave for canoeing and rafting.  When the facility is completed and water flows, the venue will be spectacular, a real showcase for the sport and for the brand new Olympic venues being built."

If you have any concerns about the construction programme, please contact the Community Relations Team on the 24 hour freephone Construction Hotline 08000 722 110.

Have you taken a walk down the tow path from Waltham Abbey Town Lock to see the construction work in progress?  You obviously cannot get on to the actual site, but you can get a good view of the whole site from the bridge a couple of minutes walk down from the lock in River Lee Country Park.  The nearest postcode for navigators is EN9 1AB. 

For more information on the 2012 Olympics, please visit their website: http://www.london-2012.co.uk/ODA

For more information on the Lee Valley White Water Centre, please visit Lee Valley Park's dedicated website page: Go White Water

You might like to know that Brookbank London, a new Sailing, Canoe & Kayak superstore opened recently located on Lea Road on the outskirts of Waltham Abbey, EN9 1AH with an incredible range of equipment and clothing and only a few minutes walk from the new Olympic site.  

They are holding a Demo Day on Saturday 19th June at Hertfordshire Young Mariners in Cheshunt - an ideal opportunity to try out different canoe and kayak models or to have a go at paddling for the first time for FREE, please see our What's On section for more details:  Brookbank Demo Day

Please take a look at their website for details: http://www.brookbanklondon.co.uk/  

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