Durham University's new £6.7m sports facility at Maiden Castle, located on the outskirts of the city, has been unveiled by minister for sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson.

Built by construction firm ISG, the new building houses a £1m powered indoor rowing tank - one of only three such facilities in the UK - and a purpose-built boat house.

The indoor tank will be used to teach sculling and crew skills and is designed to simulate the feel and movement of a boat in water. The water flow can be adjusted electronically.

An extended sports hall for increased indoor cricket provision; a performance analysis suite; physiotherapy treatment rooms; and a 28-station rowing Ergo gallery are also included.

Robertson said: "Durham University has a strong sporting tradition and this new state-of-the-art centre will help confirm this in the years ahead.

"This fantastic facility will provide world-class sports facilities for elite athletes and community users alike and help more people to take up sport."

Durham University vice-chancellor Professor Chris Higgins, added: "We are immensely proud to be able to contribute to the sporting legacy of the Olympics 2012 through the opening of these new facilities.

Sport England contributed £500,000 of funding towards the cost of the new sports facility through its Inspired Facilities fund, part of the part of the £135m Places People Play legacy programme.

Details: www.dur.ac.uk

Image: Durham University