The new £7.5m Gymnastics and Martial Arts Centre (GMAC) has opened near the Alexander Stadium in Perry Bar, Birmingham.

Funded by Birmingham City Council, the centre is the only one of its kind in the country, and has already been included in the pre-games training camp guide for the London 2012 Olympics. Facilities at the GMAC include a fully-equipped gymnastics hall with floor space for artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, as well as seating for 400 spectators, which can be retracted to provide an area for trampolines.

Three martial arts rooms are also available at the site, which will provide a dojo and two flexible martial arts combat areas. The rooms will also be used for aerobics and exercise classes. Birmingham City Council funded the project through the sale of the Birmingham Sports Centre. Its leader, Mike Whitby, said: "The opening marks the development of yet another world-class sporting asset for Birmingham.

"We are looking to attract some of the best international teams to use Birmingham as a base ahead of the London 2012 Olympics, and I have no doubt the prospect of training in the GMAC will be a great allure for gymnastics and martial arts teams across the globe." It was also announced that the 2010 UEG European Artistic Gymnastics Championships and the 2011 FIG Trampoline, Tumbling and Double-Mini World Championships will be held at the new centre.