Sports center gets $30m renovation

Nanjing is forging ahead with final preparations for the Asian Youth Games, with the stadium, athletes' village and other sports venues already unveiled to media.

Nanjing Olympic Sports Center, which will host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as a number of key events during August's Asian Youth Games and the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, will be renovated at a cost of 184 million yuan ($30 million).

This includes 78 million yuan for the Asian Youth Games.

The center, built for China's National Games in 2005, consists of a stadium, gymnasium, natatorium, tennis court and a center for sports science and technology studies.

Conveniently located in the northern part of Nanjing 7.5 kilometers away from downtown the venue is linked by subway Line 1 and Line 2.

Gao Bingyan, a director of the company in charge of the center's management and operation, said its facilities have remained in good shape.

"The structure and facilities are excellent," he said. "Without too big an investment, we can make sure it meets all requirements for hosting the two games."

With a revenue of 74 million yuan a year, Gao said the center makes more than enough to cover its yearly operation costs of 60 million yuan.

The main stadium, which can accommodate 62,000 spectators and will host the track and field events during both games, has had its track cleaned, seats and walls revamped and its lighting equipment and screens modified.

During a media tour on May 30, journalists were invited to take a glimpse of the furnished apartments at the athletes' village at nearby Nanjing University of Technology.

During the Asian Youth Games, up to 3,500 teenagers and team officials from 45 countries and regions will eat and sleep here.

The 912 apartments in 22 buildings, all newly built as dormitories for the university's teachers, have been rented by organizers to accommodate athletes during the games.

In the village, four athletes will share an 86-square-meter apartment that consists of two bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom and large living room. The kitchen will be used as a storage room during the games.

Keeping cool is vital during the sweltering summer, and each bedroom has an air conditioner to provide a cozy shelter, which also features broadband Internet access.

In addition to the apartment buildings, the athletes' village has a public square, business center, dining hall, media center, medical station and gym.

At the end of May, workers were adding the final touches, laying out the landscaping. All the projects are expected to be complete by the end of June.

Gao Ming, vice-president of Nanjing University of Technology, said the village makes full use of the available resources and has achieved a "win-for-all" outcome.

"By living in the university, athletes can meet students and see for themselves what it is like at the university," he said.

With a history of 111 years, Nanjing University of Technology boasts 31,000 students majoring in subjects ranging from the chemical industry to mechanics and architecture.

The college, ranking about 70th among the country's 3,000 higher education institutes, is famous for its softball team and has frequent exchanges with squash teams in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

wangzhenghua@chinadaily.com.cn