Waterborne Activity Center now ready, set, and waiting
The Zhuhai-Macao International Sport & Leisure Tourism Center (Waterborne Activity Center) was completed June 1 and will open in Hengqin New Area when current epidemic concerns abate.
The three-story activity center off Hengqin Avenue has world-leading facilities and is capable of hosting international diving matches. The building is 24 m (79 ft) high and has floorage of 13,000 sqm (3 acres) on 5,761 sqm (1 acre) of land. It is invested by Zhuhai Huafa Group as the support facilities of the second phase of nearby Hengqin International Tennis Center.
Waterborne Activity Center [Photo provided to Guanhai App]
The box-shaped facility resembles the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) in Beijing as they are from the same designer team – CCDI. The sea-green color of the external walls pays tribute to Zhuhai's blue sea and green water, while the wave patterns highlight the city's coastal culture. Curves and various perforation rates of the aluminum plates add to the sense of change in the facade.
The Waterborne Activity Center is equipped with professional and environmentally friendly diving platforms, springboards, and pools in line with the standards of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) for international competition.
A 1,709-seat hall has a standard 25-by-25-m (82-by-82-ft) swimming pool, 1-m and 3-m springboards, and 1-m, 3-m, 5-m, 7.5-m, and 10-m diving platforms. An adverse-current water circulation and treatment system allows for cleaner water and easier maintenance.
The dry-land training room in the southwest corner on the second floor is equipped with springboards, protection ropes, sponge mats, and two trampolines. A warm-up room, referee's office, and media center are also there.
Once operational, it is expected to become a new landmark for fitness, leisure, and entertainment in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and will host sports training, marches, activities, and exchanges.