Cost to re-open Swindon's Oasis has DOUBLED since listing, says Council
The Oasis dome and pool was Grade II listed in December 2021
Last updated 8th Jun 2022
The costs of getting a new, working Oasis leisure centre has been doubled by the listing of the original 1970s building, which has been closed for 20 months.
That’s what leader of Swindon Borough Council David Renard said to members of the authority’s scrutiny committee as they quizzed him about his annual report.
Coun Renard’s report said: “Our main focus is on Seven Capital’s work to refurbish the Oasis as it is important the leisure centre is brought back into use as soon as is practically possible. It has become clear the listing of the Oasis has significantly increased the costs of delivering a financially viable and sustainable building. However, finding a solution for the Oasis is a priority and we will continue to work with Seven Capital to ensure all options are explored.”
Labour group leader Jim Robbins pressed Coun Renard on the council’s relationship with the developer which owns the Oasis centre on a 99-year lease and also has planning permission, and an agreement with the council to build a centre with indoor ski slopes and other entertainment just across the road.
'Are we setting good enough deadlines to get things achieved?
Coun Robbins said: “The council has been working with Seven Capital for coming up for a decade now. There isn’t an open Oasis centre and we don’t have a snow centre.
“This council is putting a huge amount of trust in Seven Capital.
“Are we setting them good enough deadlines to get things achieved?”
Coun Renard said: “Seven Capital have already invested millions of pounds into the Oasis and the North Star site.
“They actually put in a planning application for a new Oasis, but that had to be withdrawn when the existing building was listed.”
He added: “The listing has doubled the costs of bringing the oasis centre back into use – I’m not able to give the figures in a public forum.”
'I know they are not sitting on their hands'
The council’s leader said the developer, which is better known as a builder of flats than for running or building leisure facilities, would be building housing as part of the deal it has with the council: “Seven Capital is looking at how many homes there need to be in order to be able to recoup their costs.
“We’re are in communication with Seven Capital and I know they are not sitting on their hands.”
The centre closed in October 2020 and was not reopened when lockdowns were lifted as the operator GLL said it could not make a profit.
Seven Capital put forward a proposal for a substantially new building last year – but the listing of the original 1976 building has forced a rethink.