Preparations for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics continue with the completion of the transformation of the National Aquatics Center, previously known as the Water Cube, into the Ice Cube. The site will host the curling events.

The reconstruction project started on December 26, 2018 and after more than 300 days of work, the Ice Cube will not only stage the curling competition at Beijing 2022 but is also expected to be used by winter sports enthusiasts after the Olympics and Paralympics.

With the convertible structure of the ice rink and the removable ice-making system, the venue has both water and ice functions. After the ice-making equipment and ice layer are removed, the ice rink can be transformed into a swimming pool. According to the plan, water sports will take place in spring, summer, and autumn, and ice sports will happen during winter.

"We have achieved our goal of completing all construction on the premise of guaranteeing the operation of the 'Water Cube,' and now the construction work on the 'Ice Cube,' is all done," said Sun Hongzhuang, the general director of the Ice Cube Construction Project.

The Organizing Committee marked the end of the transformation process by holding an Ice Cube Sustainable Development Forum. The participants discussed the stadium's convertible structure, as well as the venue's brand marketing plans once the Games wrap up in February 2022. The Ice Cube is scheduled to open to the public next autumn.