Call for small pool at Hydro leisure centre in Swindon to reopen

The pool was used by women and children in the Hydro’s heyday of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

It has been closed for nearly 10 years and is not part of the initial refurbishment plans for the historic building. 

The Friends of the Health Hydro organisation has launched a petition on Swindon Borough Council’s website.

It reads: “We ask that the council reinstates the small pool in the Health Hydro in Milton Road, as a matter of urgency.

“This would improve access to swimming for all and aid the teaching of swimming and water safety to children. This reinstatement should happen in parallel with the planned large pool hall restoration.

“Please support our petition to reopen the small pool in Swindon’s Historic Health Hydro, Milton Rd - let’s get the children of Swindon swimming again.

There is a link to the petition from the social media accounts of the Friends of the Health Hydro. Those wishing to sign will have to create an account to log into it on Swindon Borough Council’s website.

The first phase of the refurbishment of the Health Hydro will see new plant – heating, lighting, and ventilation equipment – installed, as well as a restoration of the entrance lobby, new changing facilities and the creation of a new gym and exercise studio and improvements to the main pool.

The petition continues: "Restoring the small pool in parallel with the current, ongoing restoration work makes economic and logistical sense.

“The small pool is perfect for swimming lessons but also for improvers, family fun, aquafit, swim clinics, mother and baby sessions to name but a few!

“The small pool is housed within a unique listed building that has served the health and well-being needs of generations of Swindonians, let's make sure it can continue to do so for generations to come.”

The project is costing £7 million and will last two years.

The building closed in April 2023 and it is expected to re-open again in the first half of 2025.