Turning the Health Hydro into a sustainable leisure facility that retains and enhances its key heritage aspects is at the centre of an options appraisal that will be carried out over the next few months.
Swindon Borough Council, which owns the Milton Road leisure facility, and its operator charitable social enterprise GLL, will commission the study following the completion of a conservation plan and condition survey.
The Council funded the preparation of the conservation plan, which has highlighted the many important heritage features of the building and included a detailed measured survey.
GLL paid for the condition survey, which concluded that although the building is structurally sound, the nature of it means there are always maintenance, renewal and repair activities required. According to the survey, £1.7 million needs to be spent on maintaining the Victorian building over the next 10 years.
The Council and GLL are working with a steering group that includes representatives of heritage groups and the swimming clubs as key stakeholders. The group has been closely involved in commissioning the work to date and will continue to do so in the future.
The options work will use the conservation plan and condition survey to identify viable options for the whole building, recognising its current main leisure uses in the shape of the main pool, Turkish baths and gym, while conserving and enhancing the heritage aspects of this important building.
Cllr Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Place, said: “The Council and GLL recognise the importance of the Health Hydro as a heritage asset and that there are challenges around the running costs, the backlog maintenance and the small pool.
“We are working closely with the Health Hydro steering group to come up with a sustainable solution for one of the town’s most important buildings.”
