Lootah visits Olympic swimming pool project

He said the project is undertaken by the civic body under instructions from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as the city is playing host to the World Swimming Championship in 2010.

Sheikh Mohammed has ordered completion of all necessary infrastructures for the event which is being held for the first time in an Arab country.

"With an exponential growth witnessed by Dubai in the field of sports and an increasing number of sports events hosted by the city, we are undertaking this prestigious project to match Dubai's reputation as a world-class city. The project will be implemented in perfect harmony with the surrounding developments in Dubai Land,"

said Lootah.

He noted that the project is unique in its architectural designs that are in line with highest international standards and specifications.

"We were keen to provide all innovative and perfect elements for the project during its execution. Hence, the Municipality had launched an international architectural contest for consultancy companies all over the world for finalising the design of the project," said Lootah.

He said that while undertaking the project the Municipality took into consideration the characteristics of the area, the easiness to enter and exit as well as link to major roads.

The project involves construction of an Olympic-style swimming pool, another pool for deep diving, changing rooms for 400 athletes, rooms for umpires and automatic control, a stadium that can accommodate 3,000 spectators. There will be main reception area, VIP waiting area, other waiting areas, multi-purpose halls, health club, gymnasium, training pools and all other service facilities.

The project will also have a group of restaurants, external garden with 100 trees and flower ponds. There will be an open area for exercises and an entrance for VIP car parking, public parking areas, and an area for parking buses of clubs, schools, colleges and universities.