Olympics 2012 - Horse Guards Parade gears up for beach volleyball - planning permission sought for 15,000 seater stadium
Published: 05 November 2010
by JOSH LOEB
THIS aerial image shows Horse Guards Parade off Whitehall in the throes of Olympic fever.
An artist’s impression, it forms part of plans for a temporary 15,000-seater beach volleyball venue designed by architects Populous and engineering firm Atkins.
Jeff Keas, principal of Populous, said: “We have designed and will create a sporting arena where you would least expect it in the heart of London. In a six-week period, Horse Guards Parade will not only be the venue for the pageantry and spectacle of Trooping the Colour and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, but it will host beach volleyball for the 2012 Games. The temporary structure itself is similar in size and scale to Wimbledon’s Centre Court – with a unique seating bowl that opens out to the city and will provide an amazing setting for beach volleyball.”
The proposal is currently before Westminster City Council’s planning department. This week it was revealed that the council were in discussions about turning Marble Arch into “Russia House” – a base for Russian Olympic chiefs during the competitions.