Teenagers spotted trespassing on leisure centre roof

Teenagers were caught trespassing on the Oasis roof

Trespassers have been spotted on the roof of the closed Oasis leisure centre.

The vacant site in Swindon is awaiting redevelopment and a number of people have broken into the centre since the doors were locked in late 2020.

The latest trespass on 6 May prompted Conservative Swindon town councillor Daniel Adams to urge the administration to do "all it can" to prevent a possible tragedy. On that occasion the security guard was able to move the teenagers away.

Labour leader of the authority, Jim Robbins, said the responsibility for security on the site lay with the developer, Seven Capital. Seven Capital has been contacted for comment.

Mr Adams said he spotted teenagers climbing on the Oasis roof by chance, when he went past the leisure centre.

"I was forced to phone the police to get assistance to the site before someone was hurt," he said in a letter to Mr Robbins.

The police did not attend however because the security guard was able to move the teenagers away from the site.

Mr Adams said the proposed sale of the building to the leaseholder Seven Capital was "still not signed" and therefore it was the responsibility of the council to make sure "a tragedy does not occur on the site".

Mr Robbins responded: “I’ll be raising the issue directly with senior management at Seven Capital, whom the previous administration acknowledged in the past as being responsible for the site.

“In the meantime, we encourage other young people not to follow suit... as such reckless behaviour could put them in danger.”

Jim Robbins said the responsibility for security on the site lay with the developer

Why is the Oasis still shut?

The Oasis leisure centre first opened in 1976 and was closed in October 2020 after operator GLL claimed it was unviable.

Swindon Borough Council voted in November to support a £20m proposal to reopen it as part of an agreement with developer Seven Capital in exchange for being allowed to build homes on land nearby.

As part of the agreement, the developers will be required to spend £20m on refurbishment before being allowed to build homes near the site.

The plans would preserve the listed elements of the pool area and dome, but the sports and concert venue would be knocked down.

Why do people want to save the Oasis?

Campaigners from Save Oasis Swindon say the leisure centre is a "jewel" in Swindon's crown.

The centre used to be an iconic place drawing crowds in from around the area, people would visit not only for the pool, but also for events and music.

"People still want the music and sports facilities to stay at the Oasis, because not only is it a great location in the centre of town for people to use, but the Oasis was famous for that, it makes no sense to move it elsewhere," campaigner Neil Robinson has said previously.

Will the new Oasis development ever happen?

The deal was voted on and agreed by Swindon Borough Council in November.

The agreement still needs to be signed with developer Seven Capital.

The swimming pool at the Link Centre also closed in autumn 2023 when it flooded

Where else can I swim in Swindon?

The Oasis is not the only leisure centre in Swindon that has had problems recently.

The swimming pool at the Link Centre had to close in autumn last year when it flooded.

It reopened in January, but it might have to close temporarily again later in the year, to carry out permanent repairs.

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