A NEW swimming complex in Dorchester will open in under two years.

The long-anticipated development at Thomas Hardye School has a new project board, which has set out a timetable for completion.

Members of West Dorset District Council's executive committee will hear about the group's progress at a meeting on Tuesday.

A report by Nick Thornley, district council community enabling manager, reveals details of the group's progress and the estimated opening date for the swimming facility - May 2010.

It says: "Good progress has been made and an important next step is to appoint a project manager shortly after July 1.

"There is now a momentum behind this project and the partners will be working hard to keep this, to ensure delivery of the new swimming pool complex on time and within budget."

The report details the project board's first meeting earlier this month.

Dr Iain Melvin, headteacher at the Thomas Hardye School, is chairman of the board.

At next week's meeting councillors will be asked to allow officers to put together a job specification and funds for a project manager. The report says: "This is likely to be a county council appointment but it seems appropriate the costs be shared in a very similar proportion to the established overall funding ratio between the three partners."

It added: "The project manager will engage a leisure consultancy to advise on the appointment of a facilities operator."

It says the cost of appointing a project manager is not yet known.

Dorset County Council, West Dorset District Council and the Thomas Hardye School are jointly funding the complex.

Last year Dorset County Council offered £1.5 million towards the build and £150,000 a year towards running costs. The school has offered £300,000 and the Duchy of Cornwall £700,000.

West Dorset District Council has pledged £4.5 million towards new facilities.

The existing swimming pool at the Thomas Hardye School will remain open until the new pool next to it is completed.