Glen Ivy Hot Springs CEO and president Jim Root will step down from his operational duties to assume a new role as an advisor to the board of directors, GOCO Hospitality has announced. GOCO acquired the 85-acre historic California hot springs resort in January.

Root served as CEO and president at Glen Ivy for eight years; before that, he worked in spa management positions at Sea Island Resorts in Georgia and Miraval Resort in Arizona, and is also a past chairman of the International Spa Association.

GOCO said that Root will “provide invaluable guidance of renovations, expansions and programme development” at the 156-year-old resort.

Clive McNish, corporate general manager for GOCO, will assume responsibilities for the operation and development of Glen Ivy Hot Springs, which GOCO has plans to turn into a GOCO Retreat.

“I am delighted to have my longtime associate, Clive, at the helm of this historic California landmark,” said GOCO Hospitality CEO Ingo Schweder. “We believe that Glen Ivy and the surrounding land offers endless potential that correlates perfectly with our wellness hospitality philosophy and expansion strategy. I want to express my deep personal thanks to Jim for his eight years of service paving the way for us to develop a GOCO Retreat in the Temescal Valley.”

GOCO is initially investing US$5m (€4.4, £3.4m) in the property to enhance the existing operation and set the stage for future expansion. GOCO also acquired an adjacent 65-acre plot next to the 20-acre hot springs and spa as part of the deal.

Glen Ivy has been in operation since 1860 and attracts more than 160,000 annual visitors. The resort features 19 pools and whirlpools – including the historic mineral baths – 40 treatment rooms, interactive thermal mud-bathing facilities, 65 acres of botanical gardens, two restaurants, an outdoor classroom area and a labyrinth for self-reflection.

The plans for the 90-room GOCO Retreat include a comprehensive wellness centre, medi-spa, organic farm and retail village, hiking trails, additional hot springs bathing zones, yoga academy, wedding chapel, banquet and meeting rooms, an education centre for holistic medicine and 125 residential units.