Five-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave has helped mark the official opening of a major new £8.1m sports complex in east London's Mayesbrook Park.

Built by Morgan Sindall and designed by LRK Associates, SportHouse comprises a 5,000sq m (53,820sq ft) sports hall – one of the UK's largest – fitted with Taraflex flooring from Gerflor.

Other facilities include a 300-station fitness area equipped by Cybex; two full-size basketball courts; medical testing rooms; changing areas; and a 250-cover restaurant.

Due to open to the public on 31 March, SportHouse will be used by athletes from 200 countries as a training venue ahead of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Between 16 July and 9 September, it will be handed over to Olympic organisers in its capacity of Games-time training venue for handball, athletics, Paralympic judo and wheelchair rugby competitors.

SportHouse chief executive officer Mike Stimson said: "Now the building work is completed we can start to make the SportHouse vision a reality.

"We believe that by creating a world class sports facility we can have a significantly positive effect on the local community."

Sir Steve Redgrave added: "SportHouse has the opportunity to become one of the World's premier centres of excellence, while creating a lasting legacy for the local community, the wider community and young, aspiring sportspeople alike."

Details: www.sporthouse.co.uk