Work has begun on transforming the National Swimming Center, known colloquially as the Water Cube, into a venue that can host events at the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022.

The ceremony to launch the renovation program for the National Swimming Center in Beijing on Wednesday, December 26, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

To meet the needs of the winter Olympic and Paralympic games, it will become an "Ice Cube" that will host the curling competition in the main competition hall. "The curling venue will be built in a convertible structure in which a removable ice-making system will be installed," said Yang Qiyong, the general manager of venue operations at the National Swimming Center. The building will also receive upgrades to allow for more stringent monitoring and control of the indoor temperature, humidity, and lighting.

The inside of the National Swimming Center, better known as the Water Cube, in Beijing on Wednesday, December 26, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

"Building Information Management technology will be built into the venue, which will significantly improve the quality and efficiency of the building," Yang said. "We aim to build a more green, scientific, and qualified structure."

Once the renovation work is complete, the Ice Cube will be the only venue in the world that can host both ice and aquatic sports simultaneously.