The new facility, based at the National Cycling Centre, is set to host major BMX events, but will also be a major community resource that will be avaiable to use to schoolchildren from Manchester and other cyclists who will be able to discounted "pay and ride" sessions in the evening and at the weekend.

The centre was funded by Manchester City Council, Sport England and the European Regional Development Fund, which is managed in the region by the North West Development Agency.

The cost of the building itself was £19 million ($31 million/€22 million) with a further £5 million ($8 million/€5.7 million) spent on improving public realm, including a new bridge linking the National Cycling Centre to the new Metrolink stop.

"The centre will offer the local community an opportunity to train alongside British BMX stars, inspiring future generations of riders and host new British Cycling headquarters," said Ian Drake, the chief executive of British Cycling.

"The complex is being built as part of the London 2012 legacy plan, a great example of the positive impact the Games are having on sport and communities outside of London."

The 110,000 square foot centre will include a 2,000 seat arena, British Cycling offices, plus cycle shopping and café facilities when it officially opens later this year.

There will also be an official unveiling of the British Cycling Hall of Fame as part of the Reg Harris Heritage Day, which took place on August 27.

"The opening of the National BMX Centre is incredibly exciting," said Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council Executive Member for Culture and Leisure.

"It's no exaggeration to say that there's nothing like it anywhere else.

"The world's finest will train here, and young people from East Manchester will get the opportunity to use the facilities and aim for the highest awards in the sport of BMX."

"Next year will see a national focus on sport, and I hope the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics will inspire Manchester residents to take advantage of the world-class facilities on their door step.

"I am sure that in the years to come, there will be British gold medalists who first learned their skills right here at the National BMX Centre."

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