Construction has started on the Basketball Arena - the largest temporary venue built for any Olympic or Paralympic Games.

During the Games, the Arena will have 12,000 seats for the Basketball preliminaries and quarter-finals, as well as Handball semi-finals and finals, and 10,000 seats for Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has awarded the contract to build the main structure. The ODA has, or will, award separate contracts for other elements of the venue's construction, such as the mechanical and electrical work, seating and foundations.


As the venue is temporary, there is no requirement for the Arena after the Games. Barr Construction will own the Arena structure, and the ODA will 'rent' it from them for the duration of the Games. Afterwards, the contractor will dismantle it and remove it from site to be reused elsewhere.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: "The Basketball Arena is an important venue for London 2012 as it will host four Olympic and Paralympic sports and will house the athletes before they make their way down to the Stadium for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies."

A new webcam has also been launched overlooking the Arena site that gives a front-row view of the construction on the venue.

(CD/KMcA)