DM is preparing to issue tender documents for the main contract to build the AED700m ($191m) aquatic centre for the World Swimming Championships in April 2010.

The UK-based consultancy team consists of Faulkner Browns as the architect, Arup as the engineer and Davis Langdon as the cost consultant.

The emirate was awarded the right to host the 10th World Swimming Championships in 2006 by the sport's Paris-based governing body, the Federation Internationale de Natation (Fina).

The races will be held in a 10-lane, 25-metre pool. The event is held every two years. In 2008, it was held in Manchester in the UK (MEED 22:4:08).