Olympic Basketball Arena gets a lift

The 12,000 seat London 2012 Basketball Arena is taking shape with many of the 35m-high arched steel trusses lifted into place.

Once Watson Steel Structures has completed the 1,000t steel frame of the temporary 115m long Arena, it will be wrapped in 20,000m² of fabric to form a canvas for an innovative changing light design.

The temporary seating and accommodation around the venue will start to be installed this summer with the venue on track to be complete by mid-2011, ready for test events.

Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) John Armitt said: “The Basketball Arena is taking shape in the new east London skyline alongside the Velodrome and Olympic Village. The innovative and efficient design and construction is testament to the excellence of the companies delivering the project.”

Contractor Barr Construction will own the Arena structure, with the ODA renting it for the duration of the Games. Afterwards, the contractor will dismantle it to be reused elsewhere.