Last attempt to save Oasis hall before demolition

The campaigners have applied to have the hall designated an asset of community value

A "last-ditch" attempt has been made by campaigners trying to save the sports hall section of a leisure centre before its possible demolition.

The pool and sports hall at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon have been closed since October 2020.

The owner of the site, Seven Capital, has applied for planning permission to refurbish it and bring it back into use.

The Save Oasis Swindon (SOS) campaign has now applied to have the hall designated as an asset of community value.

The Oasis was the last remaining example of a leisure pool from the 1970s

Their application said: "Swindon residents are extremely concerned about the proposed loss of our prized leisure assets."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the pool and dome, which are listed, would be retained in the Seven Capital plans, but the sports hall and music venue would be knocked down.

In its place would be two full-size all-weather football pitches, and the 'dry-side' indoor facilities would be a gym, indoor golf and 10-pin bowling.

'No justification'

The SOS campaign has lobbied for the retention of the sports hall and music venue in any new centre.

The group added: "Sport England is against the proposed loss of the sports halls which were the biggest in Wiltshire.

"Swindon lacks scaleable, indoor sports facilities. There is no justification for its loss."

The application would not prevent the hall from being knocked down, but could delay it for up to six months.

It can allow a community group time to see if it can take on a business in its current state before it is closed and redeveloped.

The application from SOS says even if the hall is not fit to be returned to use, the land on which it sits should be declared an asset of community value to allow a replacement to be built.

Seven Capital has previously said it wants to reopen the centre "in a way which enhances and maintains" the building and its heritage.