During the Paralympic Games, there will be temporary seating for 10,500 spectators.

A ticketed wheelchair tennis test event has already been confirmed from May 2-6, 2012 when Eton Manor hosts an International Tennis Federation (ITF) 3 tournament.

Norfolk, a strong gold medal prospect, said: "Visiting the site really brought the London 2012 Paralympics alive for me and it was amazing to see where I'll hopefully be competing on Centre Court.

"I can't wait to see the finished venue and get out there and play."

Eton Manor will also provide temporary aquatic training facilities including three Olympic-size swimming pools, a synchronised swimming pool and a water polo pool.

After the Paralympics it will be transformed into a 15,000-capacity hockey centre with two competition pitches and a tennis centre with four indoor and six outdoor courts.

There will also be provision for five-a-side football pitches so that there are multi-purpose sport and leisure facilities for the local community.



The legacy facilities will be owned, funded and managed by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

In recent weeks there has been talk of football club Leyton Orient moving to the site but at this stage that appears unlikely.

Tim Reddish, chairman of ParalympicsGB, said: "I'm pleased some of Britain's best wheelchair tennis players have had a chance to see Eton Manor.

"It will provide them with a valuable behind-the-scenes preview and will undoubtedly inspire them to train even harder."

Work on the site started in April 2010 but a key challenge is the transporting, lifting and fixing of eight 40-metre long beams - the longest single span timber beams in the UK.

They will form part of the roof of the indoor tennis courts, allowing for unobstructed views through the hall.

All work at Eton Manor will be completed by the beginning of 2012 in time for test events ahead of the Games.

John Armitt, chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, said: "Eton Manor will be a key venue through the Olympic and Paralympic Games and will be transformed into an important community facility in legacy.

"It is great that members of the GB wheelchair tennis team have had the opportunity to come and see the progress being made on these permanent new sporting facilities for themselves."

After consultation with the Eton Manor Association, the historic Eton Manor Memorial and the Churchill War Memorial were removed from the site at the end of last year to protect them during construction.

After the Games, they will be moved to a central location on the site within a new public plaza and garden area in front of the legacy sports facilities.

London 2012 chair Sebastian Coe said: "This is the first time a centre has been purpose built for the wheelchair tennis event and I am delighted people will have the opportunity to try out the sport after the Games."

Derrick Ashley, chairman of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, said: "Eton Manor is steeped in sporting history, and following the Games the authority guarantees to deliver a lasting legacy and sporting opportunities for all.

"The hockey centre will be of national standing, hosting international competitions alongside a comprehensive community sports development programme, and the tennis centre will provide a development programme for all levels, targeted at local communities in the Lee Valley.

"We are working closely with the national governing bodies to ensure this is aligned with national sports programmes and we look forward to the transformation of Eton Manor (post Games) into a mix of sporting facilities for the local and regional community as well as elite athletes."

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June 2010: Work begins on wheelchair tennis venue for London 2012