Sports minister Helen Grant will officially open the King’s Rochester Sports Centre today.

King’s School threw a lifeline to the venue, formerly the Stirling Centre and previously threatened with closure, when it took over the lease two years ago.

The school has since given the once run-down facility a £500,000 makeover.

Improvements include £250,000 spent on new tennis and netball courts which opened to the public two weeks ago.

The seven tennis and five netball outdoor courts have been built to Lawn Tennis Association standards and are said to be some of the best quality in the South East.

The minister will unveil a plaque at the centre in Maidstone Road.

Jeremy Walker, King’s principal, said: “Since we took over the running of the sports centre, we have worked hard to create outstanding facilities for the local community as well as the school.

“Operating in partnership with Medway Council has brought benefits to us and we value our association with them very highly.

“We are extremely pleased to have the strong support of the Lawn Tennis Association and look forward to the thriving future of tennis in Rochester,”

Former King’s headmaster Dr Ian Walker clinched a long-term lease in 2012 to take over the centre and give it a makeover.

Families will have the opportunity to try a whole host of free activities at an open day tomorrow (Saturday).

Free taster activity sessions, form 10am to 5pm, will include tennis, trampolining, basketball, badminton, table tennis and short tennis. Visitors will also be able to tour the new facilities and have a gym induction.

For more details, call 01634 818422.