SPORT England has given a £500,000 boost to the scheme for a new swimming pool in Dorchester.

The cash means the existing pool will be in use right up to the point that the new one opens – the project had previously involved leaving swimmers without a pool for part of the build timetable.

Partners working together on the £7.3million project for the town’s Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre have welcomed the grant to West Dorset District Council.

News that the money is being awarded from Sport England’s Free Swimming Capital Modernisation Programme comes in the week that people under 16 and over 60 are able to swim for free at the centre.

Iain Melvin, headteacher of the Thomas Hardye School and chairman of the project board for the new swimming facilities, said: “This is wonderful news.

“It will be a great asset as we move towards providing a new pool for Dorchester. I’m sure the board would like to thank West Dorset District Council and the other partners for achieving this.”

District council leader Robert Gould said: “We are delighted to receive this support from Sport England for the new pool in Dorchester.

“The half-million will be allocated entirely to the project to build new dual-use community and school swimming facilities on the site of the Thomas Hardye School, adjacent to the current facilities so that the current pools remain open until the new facilities are available.

“The extra funding from Sport England will ensure that we have sufficient budget to make sure the facilities are of the highest quality and meet the expectations of the growing community.”

The new facilities will include a teaching pool and a main six-lane pool – larger than the current pools.

Coun Gould said the project was still working to the same timetable with building due to get under way in 2010 and the new pool open in 2011.

The extra cash was also welcomed by Janet Hewitt, head coach of the West Dorset Swimming Club – also known as the Warriors, She said: “It’s brilliant. This is for everybody – the whole community will benefit. The new pool can’t come soon enough. This is something that is excellent for people of all ages for Dorchester and a wide area around.”

Mrs Hewitt said club members come from throughout West Dorset and she also teaches aquafit classes for older people.

Club publicity officer Camilla Thornton also hailed the grant as a benefit for the community. She said: “Swimming is an activity for all ages and for people with disabilities.

“It’s lovely to have this money. It will help make a big difference to the health of the community.”

Angus Campbell, leader of Dorset County Council which is also helping fund the scheme, said: “We welcome this additional funding from Sport England.”

He said the move helps provide residents with modern and efficient facilities that would encourage more people to take up swimming.

The money from Sport England is part of Government plans for a long-term legacy from the Olympics and Paralympic games and to promote more active lifestyles.