The Health Hydro

The history of the project and next steps

Health Hydro main pool viewed through archway on gallery

Planning the restoration

Planning the restoration of the Health Hydro began in 2018 when Swindon Borough Council commissioned an Options Appraisal for the future of the Health Hydro.

This appraisal was carried out with support from GLL (leaseholder), the Health Hydro Action Group (a precursor to the Friends of the Health Hydro), local swim club representatives, the Mechanics’ Institution Trust (since renamed Swindon Heritage Preservation), SBC planning and conservation officers and Historic England.

The preferred option that emerged was to restore the Health Hydro and enable it to continue to serve the health and wellbeing needs of its local communities.  

For further information you can read the Health Hydro Options Appraisal (PDF)

Timetable for the restoration work

  • March 2019 - Swindon Borough Council committed £1.5million
  • March 2021 followed by a £5million allocation from the Swindon Town Deal
  • November 2021 - Fourth Street was commissioned to lead the restoration work and full-service design team on behalf of the council and its partners
  • March 2022 - a business case was submitted to the Swindon Town Deal Board to secure the Town Deal investment
  • March 2023 - the Health Hydro closed its doors to enable the first phase of restoration to commence
  • May 2023 - Full planning and listed building consent for Phase 1 was secured
  • July 2023 - EW Beard was awarded the phase 1 works contract
  • September 2023 - Phase 1 works commenced
  • October 2023, Historic England awarded a Repair Grant (totalling £435k) covering repairs to brick and stonework on Faringdon Road, valley gutters and downpipes, external doors and windows. These works commenced immediately and completed in March 2024
  • November 2023, the Development Stage application for £4.6m was submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (TNLHF) under their Heritage Grants programme for conservation and repair works to the Main Pool Hall
  • March 2024, TNLHF awarded a Development Grant for £409k

Next steps

  • The Health Hydro’s new gym, changing rooms, Turkish Baths and large swimming pool will reopen in 2025 following the completion of the Phase 1 works
  • The Delivery Stage application for the Main Pool Hall Restoration is scheduled to be submitted to the TNLHF in August 2025, with a decision expected by January 2026. If successful, the conservation works will be carried out during 2027.
  • Work is continuing to seek further funding for the restoration and development of the Small Pool, Turkish Baths, Dispensary and dry-side areas of the Health Hydro 
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