-By Stacy Straczynski

The stadium which once hosted the world’s best swimmers in 2008, including the United States’ own Michael Phelps, is set to be revamped into a large-scale entertainment destination, according to official announcements reported yesterday (Feb. 4) in the China Daily. Beijing’s Olymic Aquatic Swim Center, better known by its “Water Cube” nickname, will receive a major renovation and new life this year as a public water park.

The new park, reportedly being designed by a yet-to-be-named Canadian firm, will boast seven-story water slides and a wave machine, as well as attractions for the more land inclined such as shopping centers, cafes, and performance stages. The 200 million yuan (over $2 million) project will leave the exterior bubble-wrap style architecture intact, which was originally designed and built by Australia-based PTW Architects, international engineering group Arup, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, and China Construction Design International.

Additional features being added to the structure, according to a previous October announcement by Water Cube officials, include exhibit space, health and service facilities, and parking garages, as well as other supporting facilities.

Talks about renovating the Water Cube into a more long-term revenue sustaining operation have been on the table for some time. Immediately following the 2008 Olympic Games, the facility had received upwards of 100,000 visitors a day; however, interest and attraction has fallen sharply since. Officials hope the revamp will generate 20 million yuan (over $200,000) this summer.

The Water Cube has been closed to the public since Oct. 15, 2009 for interior renovations and final completion of the water park is slated for sometime in July 2010.