THE PRINCESS Royal yesterday officially opened the £20m Sunderland Aquatic Centre.
The centre, which first admitted members of the public last April, was voted one of top three sporting venues in the country following a public vote in the National Lottery Awards.
During her visit, Princess Anne met some of the youngsters who train at the centre and who are aiming to make their mark in the 2012 Olympics.
She also saw Sunderland Swimming Club in training, an aquatic class in action and a diving display.
As the only 50m pool between Leeds and Edinburgh, Sunderland Aquatic Centre is a major facility for the whole of the North- East, housing a competition-sized swimming pool, a 25m diving pool and a twostorey Wellness Centre.
It is also a potential Olympic training venue.
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