Swindon Oasis leisure centre could open in 2026 - council

The Oasis leisure centre could be up and running by early 2026 under new proposals

A popular leisure centre could be reopened by early 2026, according to a council leader.

Proposals for the Oasis, in Swindon, could be approved next spring, with "spades in the ground" by summer, Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins said.

Plans for a snow dome next door, which received planning permission five years ago, could be axed under new proposals.

With rising costs, it has become "more unviable than it's ever been", he said.

The leisure centre has been closed since 2020 and needs a multi-million pound refurbishment before it can open.

This means plans for a snow dome and cinema on the neighbouring North Star site could be scrapped in favour of a housing development, to help the council fund the work.

The proposal is then for Swindon Borough Council, which owns the freehold for the Oasis and North Star sites, to sell them for at least £6m to current leaseholders SevenCapital.

Mr Robbins said although the deal with SevenCapital has been complicated, they are "pretty certain that this is going to happen and that the deal works for both parties".

"We're really pleased we've been able to put some real protections in there for Swindon residents," he added.

The dome has been subject to neglect and vandalism since it closed in 2020

He added it had been difficult getting the numbers to add up, with the refurbishment expected to cost about £20m, but the centre only set to be worth £2m following the work.

Moving forwards he said he "really wants people to hold him to account" on the project.

"If you're not seeing movement on this in a year or so with shovels in the ground then this deal hasn't worked. [But] we're really confident we can make it work and get it right," he added.

The council's cabinet will discuss the proposal on 15 November.