A CHARITY from across the county border has been selected as the preferred bidder for the operating contract of Dorchester’s new £8million leisure centre.

West Dorset District Council’s executive committee held a special meeting to appoint 1610 Ltd – formerly known as the Somerset Leisure Trust – as the preferred bidder for the new Dorchester Sports Centre, which is set to open to the public in June.

Leisure and tourism manager Nick Thornley opened the meeting by saying: “This is one of the most important contracts ever let by the district council.

“Particularly from a cost management point of view, from a risk management point of view and from the point of view of providing a quality service to local people.”

Mr Thornley said that four firms were initially shortlisted after companies were invited to bid for the operating contract of the new sports centre, which will boast a brand new six-lane pool with a spectator gallery, a fitness suite, dance studio, changing village and increased car parking.

He said those four bidders were invited to submit detailed tenders, which were then heavily scrutinised and evaluated before 1610 Ltd was put forward as the preferred bidder.

Another firm, DC Leisure Management, was initially put forward as a reserve bidder by officers but the committee decided to remove the position of reserve bidder after discussions in a confidential session.

Mr Thornley said the Somerset Leisure Trust was a charity that originated in the county of its name and had taken on a number of contracts for both wet and dry facilities with Somerset County Council but was now looking to develop its portfolio further afield.

He added that the building work on the site adjacent to the existing Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre was due for completion in April, with the new operator expected to open it to the public in June. West Dorset District Council leader Robert Gould said: “It is very exciting that this project is nearing completion.

“It has taken many years but the last phase has been really positive and the progress has been excellent.

“If you go up there now you see a facility that really looks remarkably impressive, just from the outside.

“It’s a great time for the town and district.”

Councillor Molly Rennie added: “It was 1975 when we first opened a shared pool in Dorchester and this is like the completion of a dream.”

Coun Alan Thacker praised the officers who had worked on the scheme.

He added: “We are really very lucky to be in a position where we can be offering a facility like this in Dorchester when many councils are looking at shutting their pools.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing it opened and being used.”