Sports facilities in Scotland are the “best they have ever been,” according to sportscotland chair Louise Martin, after visiting the site of the £12m (US$17.3m, €15.4m) National Centre Inverclyde in North Ayrshire.

Checking on the progress of the centre – which is being redeveloped with sportscotland and Scottish government funds – Martin said that the facility had the potential to become an “iconic building” and make a “significant contribution” to Scotland.

Billed as the “first of its kinds in the UK,” the residential sports training facility will provide Scotland with the opportunity to host national and international sporting events, with an emphasis on para-sport.

Martin, who will step down as chair in 1 June 2016, was accompanied by Scottish sports minister Jamie Hepburn, who said it was a “truly exciting time for Scottish sport,” highlighting the Oriam – the £33m (US$47.5m, €42.3m) elite performance centre being built in Edinburgh – as well as the National Centre.

“It [the centre] will continue the tradition of developing strong club and community, school, and education links throughout Scotland, the UK, and in the local area. With Oriam, the new national performance centre, currently being built in Edinburgh, this is truly an exciting time for Scottish sport,” Hepburn added.

The National Centre Inverclyde is due to open in spring 2017.