Work on the construction of the new London 2012 White Water Canoe Centre in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, has reached a milestone with the completion of the starting pool.

Development of the venue, which is being led by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and will host 2012 Olympic canoe slalom competition, is due to be completed later this year. Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) will own, fund and run the centre both before and after the 2012 Games, creating a leisure facility for local users and a venue for elite competition and training events.

ODA chair John Armitt said: "The good progress we are making across the site keeps us on track to have the venue completed later this year, delivering an early legacy of new sporting facilities." LVRPA chief executive Shaun Dawson added: "The centre is one of the only artificial courses in the world offering 'improvers' white water alongside the Olympic course, where our GB hopefuls and elite athletes will train."

Image: ODA