EXCLUSIVE: Swindon Oasis campaigners speak to Greatest Hits Radio
Save Oasis Swindon is battling to get the Leisure Centre reopened
Campaigners who are fighting to save Swindon's Oasis from extinction have spoken exclusively to Greatest Hits Radio, after plans to renovate the Centre were approved.
Proposals to re-glaze the building's iconic doomed roof were given the green light by Swindon Borough Council, which owns the Oasis, last month.
The decision comes after the dome and swimming pool were Grade II listed in December 2021, following assessments by Historic England, due to their "architectural and historic interest". The ruling meant that section of the North Star site was protected from demolition.
Angela Atkinson, from Save Oasis Swindon, has shared her reaction to the approval.
"We're delighted to hear that, it's a significant step forward. Since it (Oasis) was listed, it's what we've been fighting for," she said.
'Instead of getting on with it a year ago, basically they've sulked'
However, the group has also criticised the Council, as well as the Oasis leaseholder SevenCapital, regarding their management of the facility.
The local authority revealed its desire to de-list the Oasis last year, claiming that incorporating the dome into future plans had major financial and environmental implications.
The Conservative group said, at the time: "The renovation of the existing structure and listed domed roof would add many millions of pounds to the costs of bringing the building back into use and ensure running costs would be prohibitive to any potential operators.
"Heating a 1970s-designed dome is extremely expensive and is not in keeping with the Council’s ambitions to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2030. Swindon Conservatives therefore believe the best way forward is to explore the possibility of de-listing the Oasis".
These efforts failed to come to fruition, as the Oasis didn't fulfil the criteria that Historic England needed to meet, to consider any de-listing attempt.
In September 2022, the charity said: "We would only take an application forward for de-listing if substantial new information about the lack of special architectural or historic interest came to light to justify a reassessment".
The approval of proposals to refurbish the dome came more than a year after it was listed. It's now expected that building work won't get underway for several months.
Angela believes valuable time was wasted, because the Council and SevenCapital "faffed about" in 2022.
"From the moment the listing was announced, all they've done ... is resist the decision, is resist the listing and fight against it.
"All that's done is delay things and of course now costs have gone up.
"Instead of getting on with it a year ago ... basically they've sulked," she said.
'An enormous amount of work is going on behind the scenes'
In response, the Council's Leader David Renard defended the local authority's efforts to reopen the Oasis, calling it an "incredibly complex task".
"We cannot wave a magic wand to get the Domebusters back open again, because the cost of bringing the Oasis back into use has trebled since the leisure centre was given listed status.
"It now means a regeneration scheme for the whole site around the Oasis needs to be put forward by SevenCapital, to help mitigate the huge additional cost and deliver a viable and sustainable facility.
"We would like to reassure the campaigners that reopening the Oasis is a priority for the Council and that an enormous amount of work is going on behind the scenes to realise this goal," he said.
Will music concerts return to the Oasis?
As well as its domed roof, swimming pool and sports facilities, the Centre was historically known for hosting live gigs.
Several household names have entertained crowds at the Oasis, including AC/DC, Elvis Costello, Pet Shop Boys, Kings of Leon, McFly, Scouting for Girls, Kasabian, and the 1975.
But according to Angela, sadly it seems the 1970s site won't be returning to its former music glory anytime soon.
"I would say that's highly doubtful. The plans are to knock-down the dry side, which needs doing (because) it's got asbestos in it. They're going to replace it with a gym and I think football pitches.
"As it is, no I'm afraid I don't see that (gigs returning to the Oasis). It would be nice, let's hope we can turn that around, but not at the moment," she said.
SevenCapital has been contacted for comment.