Swindon’s historic Health Hydro is on course to resurface early next year.
The borough council has announced that the first phase of the delayed restoration works to the Grade II*-listed building are likely to be completed by the end of 2025 and, after fitting out by leisure operator GLL, the building looks set to open to the public in 2026.
Since the closure in 2024, the £8.6 million works have included refurbishing the former Washing Baths Hall, changing rooms and plant areas. The discovery of asbestos contributed to the delay and increase in the initial £6.5m which was provided by the Towns Fund and the council.
Additional money has been made available through a grant from Historic England, reallocated Towns Fund money and S106 funding.
Cllr Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for placemaking and planning (pictured), said: “Like many residents, I am desperate to see this beautiful building reopened to the public. The Health Hydro is a nationally significant heritage site and the story it embodies of workers self-organising to provide services to their community is one that should make all Swindonians proud.
“The Health Hydro is a Grade II* listed building that also has a lot of engineering complexity, so while I am as disappointed as everyone else that the refurbishment is taking longer than originally planned, it’s important that the work is done thoroughly and with care and attention. We’re working closely with Beard, the construction company for the project, and Fourth Street, our lead consultant, to make sure we’re doing the right things for this historic building.
“When the Health Hydro does reopen, I know it will be welcomed by the Swindon community and I look forward to everyone being able to enjoy the work so far.”
The council hopes to fund the next phase of works, restoring the main hall with its 33-metre pool, will get support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. If successful, it will likely need to close again for further improvements.
More news on the outcome of the funding application is expected in early 2026.
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