The council has appointed specialist advisors to help with their proposed multi-million pound refurbishment of the historic Health Hydro. 

Thousands of people in Swindon learnt to swim there when they were younger and it has since endured as a beloved landmark building for many in the town for that reason. 

Swindon Borough Council, working with Historic England, plans to restore and refurbish the Victorian-era building and it will be spending upwards of £6.5million to bring it back to its former glory. 

In a post on its Facebook, the council said: "We want to make it a top leisure and health attraction that everyone in and out of the town can enjoy. 

"To do that, we have appointed specialist place and development advisors, Fourth Street, to come up with plans as to how we move forward.

"The consortium have a track record of working with historic buildings and have recently helped deliver refurbishment projects for Alexandra Palace, Giant’s Causeway and St George’s Park."

These plans include the fixing of long-overdue maintenance issues, updates to the facilities and the restoration of important historical features.

They also involve the development of a business plan to sustain the building going forwards.

So far, £1.5m in funding has already been committed by Swindon Borough Council for the restoration and Swindon’s Town Deal Board will soon submit a business case for a further £5m from the Government’s Towns Fund.

The plans have been welcomed by community group Friends of the Health Hydro after what they say 'seems like an eternity' of waiting. 

A spokeswoman for the Friends of the Health Hydro said: “Make no mistake, we are counting ourselves extremely fortunate to be within touching distance of such a sizeable sum of money to spend on the building and are indebted to Swindon Borough Council for pursuing this funding.

“It is our hope and expectation that a restored and relaunched Health Hydro will act as a catalyst for further investment and regeneration in the Railway Village Quarter, with a pedestrianised Emlyn Square at the heart of vibrant area containing successful cafes and pubs, and, of course, a fully restored Mechanics Institution."

A community event is being held this month to receive feedback, comments, ideas and questions from people interested in the restoration and renovation of the Milton Road swimming pool and health centre.

To get involved email friendsofhealthhydro@gmail.com.