Health Hydro welcomes back swimmers and fitness enthusiasts

Swindon ASC, the oldest swimming club in Swindon and one of the first to originally swim at the pool, returned to the facility for its first training session since the first phase of refurbishment was completed.

Later in the morning, representatives from Swindon Borough Council, GLL, Swindon Heritage Preservation Trust and other organisations visited the Grade II*-listed building for a small ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the reopening.

Since its closure in 2023, more than £8.5m has been spent on the first phase of restoring the historic Milton Road baths as contractor Beard improved the environmental aspects of the building (new insulation, new walls) as well as creating a new entrance, gym space and changing rooms.

Behind the scenes, new plant equipment has also been installed to ensure the building runs efficiently in the future.

As is common with projects in Grade II* listed buildings, detailed early investigations highlighted challenges that required careful redesign to protect the Health Hydro’s heritage. The extensive safe removal of asbestos was also completed, ensuring the building is ready for future phases of restoration and continued community use.

Funding for the first phase has included grants from Historic England, money from the Government’s Towns Fund, Section 106 funding from developers and investment from the Council.

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: "I couldn't be more delighted that the Hydro is finally open again, and well done to the early bird swimmers already back in the pool.

“Lots of Swindon people learned to swim in this beautiful building and now lots more will be able to do that again.

“I love what's been done with the new gym, making it look in keeping with the historic surroundings, and the level access to the big pool rooms is an accessibility game changer.

“There's plenty still to be done to bring the whole building into use - the small pool is high on the list of priorities, and the dry side is an asset we should definitely be making the most of. I look forward to the future renovations and to the Health Hydro being a vibrant community hub."

Peter Bundey, GLL’s Chief Executive Officer, added: “Today’s reopening marks the first step of an exciting new chapter for the Health Hydro. We’re delighted that new plant and equipment means that the pool water and hall will now be much warmer than before, while new changing rooms and a gym packed with the latest Technogym equipment means that visitors will be able to enjoy a state-of-the-art facility within an historic setting.”

Now that the Victorian-era facility has reopened, visitors will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities and classes ranging from swimming lessons to group exercise sessions. There are a wide range of membership options available, including concessionary rates. Swindon Resident Card holders will benefit from discounted access, while non-members are also welcome and able to book ‘one-off’ sessions via the ‘pay and play’ option on the Better website.

Dave Leonard, Head Coach at Swindon ASC, said: “The Health Hydro is not only an iconic pool in Swindon, it offers something unique that other local pools don’t – a longer distance to train over, which will particularly benefit our competitive swimmers.

“It feels fitting that we’re going to be the first club to train at the pool when it reopens, as Swindon ASC, the oldest swimming club in the town and the third oldest in the whole country, first trained at the pool on the day it very first opened in 1892.

“Both our swimmers and our volunteer coaches are equally excited to see the outcome of the refurbishment first hand. Whilst for some of our current club members it’s a return to a much-loved heritage pool, for some of our newer and younger swimmers the re-opening will mark their first taste of swimming at Milton Road.

“Being able to get back in the water at the Health Hydro is really important to the club. Not only does it mean our competitive swimmers can increase the frequency and duration of their training, something that will benefit them when they represent the town on a regional and national level, it also means the club has capacity to welcome new members whether that’s to try competitive swimming or simply to build swimming fitness and confidence within a friendly and welcoming environment.”

Future phases of restoration for the Health Hydro are planned. The Council has recently received planning approval and listed building consent for a second phase of works focused on the main pool hall, including improvements to the ventilation, accessibility and environmental performance, alongside further conservation of the building.

Although funding for this has yet to be secured, the Council is working hard to identify funding options.

More information on what is on offer at the Health Hydro can be found at www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/swindon/health-hydro.