The interior view of the National Aquatics Center

(BEIJING, January 29) -- The National Aquatics Center, known as the "Water Cube," will become an aquatics recreation venue for residents after the Beijing Olympic Games, Kang Wei, vice director of the Beijing State-owned Assets Management Co. Ltd, said.

"We have taken into consideration the use of the "Water Cube" after the Beijing Olympic Games throughout the whole process of bidding, design and construction," he said.

"A swimming venue with an area of 40,000 sq m is sufficient for the Olympic Games. But the "Water Cube" covers 80,000 sq m for Games-time use. This is to ensure the continuing operation of the venue after the Olympic Games."

During the Olympic Games, the number of seats installed in the venue will reach 17,000, of which 11,000 will be uninstalled after the Olympic Games. Of the remaining 6,000 seats, 2,000 will be temporary and 4,000 will be permanent. The design is for the post-Games use.

Kang played down concerns of the sky-rocketing prices for the most advanced swimming venue in the world.

"We won't set very high ticket prices after the Olympic Games," he said, adding that more residents can afford the prices.