London 2012 organizers: Handball arena set for 2011 completion after foundations finished

Foundations complete on London 2012 handball arena

LONDON — London 2012 organizers say the Olympic handball arena is on track for completion in 2011 after its foundations were finished.

Construction began two months early in July and 200 concrete columns have been put 82 feet into the ground to form the foundations.

Organizers said Tuesday that 13 of the 33-foot high concrete walls are also in place and that the steel frame will be complete by next summer, leaving the roof and cladding to be added before the 7,000-seat venue is ready for test events.

The arena will host qualifying games for handball, modern pentathlon fencing and Paralympic Goalball.

“We are right on track,” Olympic delivery authority chief executive David Higgins said.