China’s National Aquatic Center will reopen after the completion of a nine-month construction project, adding a 10,000 square meter water park to the “Water Cube.” With slides towering 23 meters over the multiple pools below, the facility that once held the dramatic aquatic events of the 2008 Olympics will now be known as the country’s most advanced aquatic amusement park (source).

As for attractions: “The water park has wave pools in the drift region in the eastern part and a cyclone simulation section with 11 water slides in the western part” (source).

The park also has an Aqua Loop (example) which is a water slide that actually takes riders upside down on a slightly skewed inverted loop.

As much fun as the park looks, I can’t help but think “NOOOOOOO WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO IT!!??” How can you turn the most amazing aquatic sport facility in the world into a water park?

A member of the Russian ballet stands on what use to be a starting block, overlooking other dancers and synchronized swimmers performing Swan Lake in the Water Cube’s main competition pool. (photo source)

China is determined to keep the Water Cube and Bird’s Nest active in the Beijing community. There are already plans to turn the Water Cube into a large aquatic park by mid 2010. Much of the renovations will involve removing some 11,000 temporary seats and stands that take up valuable interior space.