Plymouth's new £46.5m Life Centre, which has been created to provide a regional centre of sporting excellence, has been officially opened by the local authority today (22 March).

The Archial-designed complex is to be managed by Everyone Active on behalf of Plymouth City Council (PCC) and will open fully to the public on Saturday (24 March).

According to local GPs and leading health experts, the Life Centre will provide "significant" benefits to the wellbeing of local residents, while also helping to increase participation.

A 10-lane, 50m competition swimming pool is among the facilities, along with a diving pool with video playback provision and bubble-release technology to reduce diver impact.

The 160-station fitness suite includes Precor, PowerPlate and Trixter equipment, as well as interactive sports walls and a functional training area with TRX and ViPR machines.

Elsewhere, the Life Centre houses a climbing zone with competition-standard climbing wall; a bouldering area; an aerial assault course; and abseiling facilities.

Other facilities include a 12-court multi-purpose sports hall; a health suite with a sauna and steamroom; a multi-use studios for group exercise classes; and an indoor bowls hall.

Balfour Beatty was the lead contractor on the development, which had been due to open late last year but incurred delays as a result of the inclement weather conditions in winter 2010.

PCC leader Vivien Pengelly said: "The Plymouth Life Centre is a shining example of sporting excellence that the whole of the South West region can be proud.

"We want to create a lasting legacy and inspire people across Plymouth to achieve life-long participation in sport and physical activity."

Details: www.everyoneactive.com