A groundbreaking ceremony for the Aquatic Palace has been held in Baku.
The ceremony was attended by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
In order to develop water sports in Azerbaijan and organize competitions of local and international importance in the country,
President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on 30 August 2012 on the construction in Baku of an Aquatic Palace meeting modern standards. A total of 5 million manats was allocated to the Ministry of Youth and Sports from the Contingency Fund of the President of the state budget for 2012 to conduct design and construction operations. The South Korean company Securo Co. Ltd completed work on the design of the palace in a short time.
The President met with local and foreign experts who will participate in the construction.
The President reviewed the project of the Aquatic Palace. Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov said that an area of 6 hectares had been envisaged for the construction of the palace. The Palace, which will cover a total area of 46,000 square meters, will be built in accordance with the latest standards. It will fully meet the requirements of the International Swimming Federation.
The head of the Spanish company Pujol Arguitectura, Joaquim Pujol, noted that the palace would have three swimming pools.
The pool 50 meters in length, 25 meters wide and 3 meters deep is intended for competitions. The second pool will be used for training. the length of the pool for diving will be 25 meters, the width 20 meters and the depth 6 meters. In addition, the palace will operate fitness rooms, a restaurant, conference rooms, offices, locker rooms, ancillary and utility rooms. Ancillary buildings and installations and a parking lot for 500 cars will be built on the premises as well. The palace will seat 6,000 spectators. It will have all the conditions for the training of athletes and organization of national and international competition. The Aquatic Palace will impart further beauty to the general appearance of Baku.
The head of state lowered a capsule into the foundation and launched the grouting facility.
President Ilham Aliyev met with construction workers, congratulated them and said:
- A new sports center is to be built for our country and city – the Aquatic Palace. It is a great event. Of course, the participation of Azerbaijani companies in the implementation of this major project is the key condition.
In previous years, such facilities were built in Azerbaijan mostly by foreign companies. But we already have some experience now. Foreign companies participate too, of course, and this is where a format of international cooperation emerges. Now our local companies operate not only in Azerbaijan, but also in other countries.
The commissioning of this facility is necessary both for the European Games and for our city and its residents. Children and adolescents will be able to train here, to do swimming. It will be used by ordinary people because there are no big swimming pools in Baku now. Now we are building new pools in all the cities. I am sure that you will treat this work with great responsibility. I wish you success.
President Ilham Aliyev gave instructions and recommendations regarding the construction of the Aquatic Palace at a high level.
