The centre will feature state-of-the-art facilities

The new facility, based at the Polhill campus in Bedford, is one of the single biggest sporting developments in the county in recent years.

It features sport science laboratories, two fully-equipped hi-tech gymnasiums and two dance studios.

Officials said it has the potential to be used as a training facility during the 2012 Olympic Games.

Environmental chamber

It will also be home to research and teaching.

Professor Kate Jacques, pro-vice chancellor and dean of the Bedford campus, said: "The opening of this facility is a major boost for the region.

"The new gymnasia and dance studios will also be available to local schools, clubs and teams providing a facility for games, athletics, gymnastics and dance."

The new centre features sport science laboratories, two fully-equipped hi-tech gymnasiums and two high quality dance studios.

The sport science laboratories include a cortex metalyser which monitors the amount of oxygen the body uses and an environmental chamber which allows athletes to acclimatise to hot or cold environments.