Since taking control of the Park in November 2012, the Legacy Corporation has been undertaking a huge programme of work to transform the site and its iconic venues ready for public use.

The £292m construction programme, one of the largest in Europe, is on track to deliver Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – a new part of London to live, work, visit and invest. The Park will soon begin to re-open in phases as works reach completion, starting with the official opening of North Park in July 2013.

This will include the Copper Box, London’s third largest arena at 2,743m2 (equivalent to 12 badminton courts), North Park Cafe and community space with a stunning new playground and open spaces for visitors to walk, play and enjoy.

Over the past six months, the Legacy Corporation has been getting its programme ‘Clear, Connect, Complete’ well underway to transform the Park from the Olympic event site to a new part of London. The programme is clearing Games-time overlay including temporary venues, walkways and stands, connecting the Park to the surrounding area with new roads and pathways and completing the Park’s venues and parkland to their legacy designs, ready to open its doors in full in spring 2014.

Just as the Games were delivered across 10 years from bid to closing ceremony, the delivery of legacy is a 10 year programme and the works underway now will deliver a lasting legacy for east London. Construction on the Park has already brought over a thousand jobs to the area, 44 per cent of workers are from the local area and there are 60 apprentices on site – the highest number on any London site.

In just a few months, the first families will also begin moving into 2,818 homes, including 1,379 affordable homes on the site of the Athletes’ Village, to be known as East Village. Chobham Academy will also open this September, with a further three schools planned to be built on the Park over the coming years.

The Legacy Corporation is celebrating the phased re-opening of the Park from July 2013 to spring 2014 with a programme of summer entertainment and events, bringing world-class sport and international artists back to the iconic venues. The summer line up will give local residents and visitors an opportunity to experience what the park will have to offer when it opens in full in spring 2014.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London and Chairman of the London Legacy Development Corporation said:

“This time last year we were putting the finishing touches on what was to become the greatest ever Olympic and Paralympic Games. Twelve months on, the long term future of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is bright, dispelling the fears of white elephants and tumbleweed. With a world beating summer of sport and music lined up and as new schools, homes and neighbourhoods take shape, we are on track to deliver a lasting legacy for Londoners.”

Dennis Hone, Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation said:

“The momentum and energy of the Games lives on with the creation of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and we are on track to deliver a fantastic new destination and a lasting legacy for east London. We have set an ambitious timetable with the phased opening of the Park to ensure people have access to venues, facilities and open spaces as soon as possible after the end of the London 2012 Games.

“In just 100 days time, exactly one year after the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, we will welcome thousands of visitors back to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to experience what this exciting new part of London has to offer – from international rock stars and world-class athletes, to new parklands and outside spaces to walk, play and enjoy. The work we are undertaking now will deliver a lasting legacy for decades to come and this summer is just the first part of that journey.”