China has transformed the National Aquatics Center, known as the "Water Cube," into an "Ice Cube" for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Workers spent 13 days to turn its swimming pool into a curling rink for a testing event and a wheelchair curling competition, both held in October. 

As the official curling rink for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the Ice Cube is the world's first Olympic and Paralympic venue with curling lanes on top of a swimming pool, and the first to set up curling lanes on a temporary ice rink. 

The Ice Cube made its debut in the end of 2019, switching from a swimming pool to an ice rink, which took nearly 60 days. In December 2020, it took 20 days to turn the Water Cube into the Ice Cube for the second time. This year, the process was reduced to 13 days from Oct.1 to 14. Yang Qiyong, general manager of the venue, said the increased speed was due to the improved water supply system.

The transition procedure includes several steps, including pumping the water, setting up mounting plates, installing the ice making system, and glaciating the water with refrigerating medium, according to Liu Jun, project manager in charge of the Ice Cube from China Construction First Group Corporation Limited.

After the Winter Olympics, the facility will be available to the public for both the swimming season from spring to fall, and the ice sports season in winter, according to Yang.

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