Medway’s first state of the art tennis centre is taking shape - and now the doors are being opened so people can take a look inside.

Avenue Tennis in Gillingham is not set to open until later this year but people are being given the chance to take a sneak peek.

The new facility in Featherby Road is open from today (Monday) for tours.

Sports fans can go drop in during the viewing hours to look around and find out more about membership packages.

The centre, on the site of the former 44Two Sports and Social Club, opens this spring.

It will offer both indoor and outdoor tennis across 17 courts on a variety of surfaces. It will also offer badminton and table tennis and there is a new gym, sauna and steam room and restaurant.

The club will be encouraging young people to use the centre in the hope of producing some future stars. Parents will be able to watch their children enjoy a lesson while working out in the gym and there will be places to sit and watch.

Schools will be offered the opportunity to bring along pupils to introduce them to the sport and owner Colin Jarvis has been speaking to schools in the area.

Last month Avenue Tennis sponsored the Junior Team of Year category at the Medway Sports Awards.

Mr Jarvis, founder and chairman of the MEMS generator hire firm which sponsors Gillingham FC, is a keen tennis player and already owns the Avenue Lawn Tennis Club in Glebe Road, Gillingham, which is open from May to September.

His son Glen, who is a trustee of the new club, said: “We want to provide the best tennis facilities in the area where people can play on all surfaces and play all year round.”

The Jarvis family bought the former social club, which was owned by Gills legends Andy Hessenthaler and Nicky Southall, after two years of negotiations and five years of looking for a suitable location. The 44Two closed in January last year.

The viewing hours are Monday to Thursday 10am to 1pm or 5pm to 8pm, Fridays 10am to 1pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 2pm.

A family fun day is being held on Sunday, March 19 at 10am to 4pm.