Beijing's Water Cube still draws the crowds

Beijing's Water Cube, where Stephanie Rice swam last summer for Olympic gold, has been in almost constant use since the 2008 Summer Games. A year after the Summer Olympics, the venue is hosting a remarkable mix of events.

By day, members of the public can pay $7 to swim in the warm-up pool and, as at China's other public pools, undergo a quick health check and swim test.

At other times, the Water Cube, officially known as the National Aquatics Centre hosts concerts, special events and corporate galas.

Currently the Water Cube is hosting an unusual production of Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' - the Imperial Russian Ballet performing on platforms constructed alongside and on top of the pools. Completing the effect of the extravaganza, synchronized swimmers kick their legs out of the water; fiberglass swans the size of paddle boats float around the edge of the pool; and stunt divers plunge off the high board in the adjacent pool, used for the Olympic diving competitions.

The distinction of the bubble-clad Water Cube, designed by a consortium of Australian and Chinese architects, is the exterior, with its 3,000 air cushions that are supposed to convey the essence of water. The effect, especially at night, is stunning - the building looks like a swimming pool turned inside out, casting a turquoise glow on everything around it.

The building has inspired lines of jewelry, teapots, watches, key chains, purses, liquor and perfume bottles, thermoses, towels, swim goggles and bathing suits. There's even a Water Cube line of, yes, just plain water. A $200 mobile telephone covered in rubbery turquoise bubbles sold out quickly and is now available only on the Internet.

On the other hand, the shape of the Bird's Nest national athletic stadium that housed track and field events during the Games, has deterred concert and sports promoters fearing that they won't be able to fill all of the venue's 100,000 seats. Since the Games ended, it's been used for only a handful of events.

As of October, the Beijing State-Owned Assets Management Co., owner of the Water Cube, plans to close the venue for extensive renovations that will turn it into a water park and recreation centre. 

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