THE historic Health Hydro could be refurbished as a plush health spa under an ambitious £2m project by Swindon Council.

The grade II-listed building, in Milton Road, was built in 1892 for the town’s railway workers and would be brought back to its Victorian glory but boast 21st century facilities to attract users from across the region.

Council leader, Rod Bluh, said the facility was currently subsidised so the idea was to find a private spa operator to pay for the refurbishment, place it better in the marketplace, and run the council-owned building at a profit.

He said the council has already discussed plans with about two operators and he hoped to step up such meetings over the next 12 months with the aim of starting work as soon as possible.

“It’s a much underplayed asset in this town because it’s actually a fine building when you get inside it. But it needs a lot of sprucing up, bringing back a bit of its Victorian elegance,” said Coun Bluh.

“At the moment it’s mostly used for clubs, although there’s some individuals in Swindon there as well.

“It’s about getting the offering right, it’s about getting the gym facilities right.

“Clearly the main draw of it should be the Turkish baths. And we want all that ancillary stuff like aromatherapy to make it a proper health spa building.

“It has got to be an attractive destination for people to want to come to. I believe if it’s done properly, it should be a draw from outside of Swindon as well as just in Swindon.”

Coun Bluh said the pool would be retained and the gym would be upgraded, with improvements to the changing rooms, the pool surround, and other facilities.

Outside the entrance, he hopes the building could be given more presence, putting back in the Victorian-style canopy, railings and lights it used to have.

And Coun Bluh believes a name change might be beneficial.

“It’s quite an important building for its history,” he said.

“I don’t think ‘Milton Hydro’ helps us in the marketing of the building because to me it sounds more like a power station than a leisure facility and I think something like ‘Brunel Baths’ would make a bit more sense.”

Lisa Hawkes, chairman of Swindon Civic Voice, a charity that aims to improve the town’s environment, said she backed the scheme providing it was sympathetic and the community was involved in the planning.

“I’m happy the council is considering refurbishing any heritage building in the town,” she said.

“They should be congratulated on that, hopefully it will be sympathetic.”