Velodrome crosses the finishing line

Construction work on the London 2012 Olympic Park Velodrome has been completed and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has proudly unveiled it as the first venue to be finished, on time and to budget.

A number of test events are now planned over the next 12 months, and these will ensure the venue is ready for its big showcase in 2012.

The 6,000 seat Velodrome will host the Olympic and Paralympic track cycling events next year. After the Games, the legacy Velodrome will be used by elite athletes and the local community and will include a cafe, bike hire and cycle workshop facilities.

Like many of the main venues, steel has played a prominent role on this project and more than 1,100t of structural steelwork was erected by Watson Steel Structures, which equated to 2,500 individual sections. A tubular steel ring beam sits on top of steel trusses and goes around the entire perimeter of the structure, in a rollercoaster fashion, forming the Velodrome’s distinctive shape.

The Velodrome was constructed over a period of 23 months with up to 450 workers on site at the peak and 2,500 workers involved through the course of the project. Some 48,000m³ of material was excavated to create the bowl for the venue, enough to fill 19 Olympic sized swimming pools.

Sustainability has played a major role in the design and construction of the Velodrome. Richard Arnold, Project Sponsor for the ODA, said: “This venue is 50% lighter than Beijing’s. By using the materials we’ve chosen we have produced a lightweight, efficient and sustainable landmark for the northern end of the Olympic Park.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, commented: “This magnificent structure is a triumph for all those involved in its design and construction.”