AN OLYMPIC standard gym in Crayford will open to gymnasts and dancers in January.

Europa Gym Centre is scheduled to begin to cater for some activities - such as gymnastics, dance and martial arts - at its new site in Maiden Lane on January.

Council leader, Councillor Teresa O’Neill said: “I am delighted to see the gym in action.

“The new centre is so impressive and a fabulous edition to community sport in Bexley.” It will offer a full range after the Olympics and Paralympics this summer, when it will be a training centre for volleyball. Until then, activities continue to operate at Europa’s old site in Fraser Road, Erith.

When it is fully up-and-running it will provide specialist facilities for gymnastics, martial arts, boxing, weightlifting, health and fitness and will have rooms for physiotherapy, treatment and community use. A formal opening is planned for March.

Plans were unveiled by Olympic organising committee chairman Seb Coe, just over a year ago and funding came from Barratt Homes, the Olympic Delivery Authority, National Lottery funding from Sport England, British Gymnastics, the Amateur Boxing Association of England Limited, Mayor of London's Sports: Legacy Fund, Whitecode Designs and Cory Environment Trust in Britain.

Chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, Dennis Hone said: “Hosting the 2012 Games has always been about a lot more than just the world’s top athletes coming to our capital city for a few weeks next summer.

“The venues we have built have been planned with their long-term community use in mind – and it is really exciting that we have been able to spread the benefits far beyond the host boroughs by investing in this new sports centre in Bexley.

“Local people will get years of use out of facilities that are good enough for top Olympic and Paralympic sportsmen and women. The ODA has been delighted to support the Europa Gym project and congratulates the team on achieving the completion of a fantastic facility”

For more information go to www.europagymcentre.com or e-mail europagym@btconnect.com.