Construction has started on the historic Eton Manor site, the final permanent venue to be built on the Olympic Park.

Initial ground work started in the spring and work is now underway on building the permanent sporting facilities, with the foundations due to be completed by the end of the summer.

John Armitt, Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), said: "The start of work on Eton Manor is a significant milestone, the start of construction on the last permanent venue on the Olympic Park."

Eton Manor will play a key role throughout the Games and leave behind a permanent facility that will benefit the local community for years to come.’

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During the Olympic Games, Eton Manor will be an Aquatics training venue, housing three 50m temporary swimming pools, as well as temporary pools for Synchronised Swimming and Water Polo.

During the Paralympic Games, it will host the Wheelchair Tennis competitions with temporary seating for 10,500 spectators.

After the Games, the permanent facilities will be transformed into a variety of sporting facilities for the local and regional community, as well as elite athletes. They will include a hockey centre with two competition pitches, a tennis centre with four indoor and six outdoor courts, and space for five-a-side football pitches.

These facilities will be owned, funded and managed by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA).

By the end of 2010, the main sports building structure will be complete. The temporary pools and buildings needed for the Games will follow and are due for completion by spring 2012 in time for Test Events to be staged.

(CD)