Plans for the £6.7m refurbishment and development of new sports facilities at Durham University's Maiden Castle centre have been handed a funding boost by Sport England.

The funding body has contributed £500,000 towards the scheme as part of its new Sustainable Facilities Fund, which aims to help establish a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Durham University's Sporting Futures project includes a new indoor rowing tank, a fencing piste, indoor cricket nets and a performance analysis suite, as well as new facilities for disabled athletes and an extended sports hall.

The scheme, which is scheduled for completion in October 2010, is set to benefit the 90.2 per cent of university students participating in sport, as well as helping the institution's community outreach work. Emma Hall-Craggs, Durham University's assistant director of community outreach, said: "The University has invested heavily in its staff to deliver its three strategic strands of high performance, participation and outreach.

"This long awaited redevelopment will enable us to match this expertise with world class facilities, the combination of the two resulting in a lasting legacy for 2012." Sport England property director Charles Johnston added: "Sporting Futures will bring high-quality sporting opportunities to thousands of local people, university students and staff and help us deliver a lasting Olympic and Paralympic legacy of increased participation.

"These facilities will also provide a high-performance environment perfect for nurturing a new generation of sport stars to follow in the footsteps of previous Durham alumni such as Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Edwards."