Phase one of the £11m transformation of Medway Park in Gissingham, Kent, has reached completion, with the official opening of Medway Park Judo Club.

The new facility, which incorporates the Rainham Judo Club, has been awarded the gold clubmark — the highest accreditation available from the British Judo Association.

Densign White, chair of the association, said: “It’s wonderful that the council wants to invest the sums of money that they have to fund a facility like this.

“The British Judo Association is very proud of what has been achieved by the club. Hopefully this judo centre will become one of our performance cells and find judo players for future Olympics.”

The massive redevelopment of the former Black Lion Leisure Centre into the Medway Park regional centre of sporting excellence will also provide a twelve-court sports hall, an eight-lane athletics track, a purpose-built gymnastics centre and a specialist centre for sports science and sports therapy centres when it opens fully in 2010.

There will also be a health and fitness suite and a sports hall with spectator seating, while the existing swimming pool will be upgraded and disabled access will be improved.

Surrey-based Wates Group is project managing the phased development, which is being funded by the University of Kent, Thames Gateway and Medway Council.