Anglo-Swiss duo breathe new life into neglected Ticino spa

The redevelopment of the dormant spa was announced at a press conference in Olivone, hosted by Blenio Tourism after an initial feasibility study was undertaken a year ago by Zurich-based group Resourceful Living.

A second study is now in the hands of Vitala, a highly-successful London-based multinational which specialises in tourism and the entertainment industry. Project costs are estimated between 60 and 90 million francs.

Ashoob Cook is the British element to the Cook-Schweitzer partnership. Already a successful businesswoman with a chain of West London nursery schools to her credit, Cook is in the process of relocating to the Geneva area, already home to her partner Andreas Schweitzer.

The beauty of Ticino's Valle di Blenio made a profound impact on Cook. "When I first started coming to Switzerland about three years ago I had no idea what Ticino was all about. I'd heard of it but had always assumed it was in Italy!'' she said.

Schweitzer was well acquainted with the Acquarossa spring and had been very interested in a redevelopment of the site a few years ago – a plan which, unfortunately, hadn't come to fruition. '

'When Andreas was contacted again about the project he took me to Ticino to show me Acquarossa. The moment I saw it I fell in love with it,'' said Cook. ''It's so tranquil, so remote – it's almost forgotten."

Deserted it may be but forgotten it isn't, at least not by the local community, for the Terme Acquarossa – red water spa – once enjoyed a long and successful history. In the 1930s the Greter family purchased the spa from the local authority who had run it as a business from the latter half of the 19^th century.

Well-known for the therapeutic properties of its mineral-rich waters (with an almost mud-like consistency), Terme Acquarossa attracted clients from all over Switzerland, Germany and Great Britain. Sadly, the site has sat empty since 1971 when the spa was closed – the running costs of such a large property (open only during the summer months) were untenable for the owners.

The support of the local tourism association and the council has been significant as has the welcome from the locals. ''This project is a big undertaking but I feel we've got the support of the community,'' said Cook.

''My partner, Andreas Schweitzer, has been particularly welcomed because he is Swiss. Valle di Blenio didn't want Acquarossa going to some remote, overseas investor,'' she added.

After nearly 40 years, the prospect of redevelopment and its potential economic benefits have been welcomed by the local community; Cook and Schweitzer are keen to involve local business where possible. ''Everyone we've met has been so positive, so friendly,'' she said. ''They've been promised so much over the years and I think they look on us as their last hope.''

The plan to open a four-star hotel appears to have been well thought out. ''We're not looking at a chic resort – the area couldn't support that," said Cook.'' We want an eco, family-friendly centre, with a small farm for the kids and activities like horse-riding alongside the spa facilities,'' she added.

The proposed centre will be constructed on 80,000 square metres of agricultural land adjoining the existing site and, if the feasibility study proves positive, could be open by 2013.