26-03-2025
Famous comedian urges residents to help save Oasis sports hall
A writer a stand-up comedian has posted a video, rallying the Save Oasis campaign in Swindon.
Ivo Graham posted a video, informing viewers that it is the 'final day to voice objections to the permanent demise' of the Oasis leisure centre.
In the video, Ivo is wearing a bucket hat and a Swindon Town Football Club replica kit.
The second half of the video shows Ivo in a hot tub wearing an orange swim cap, when he said: 'as a child, about as exciting as it got was spending my weekends at the Oasis Leisure Centre where I would shriek on the water slides.
'The long future of this place is being decided this week, and it is not looking good, these places are important for community and sport.
'If you care about Swindon or water slides, or if the soul of where you grew up is being ripped up and sold to make flats, then check out Save Oasis Swindon.'
Ivo Graham is a long time Swindon Town fan and graduated from Eton College in Oxford.
Save the Oasis! @SaveOasis
— Ivo Graham (@IvoGraham) March 26, 2025
Save Oasis Swindon have also released a statement in line with the final day, Wednesday, March 26, for residents to submit objections against the plans to demolish the sports hall and not replace it.
They said: 'The Multi-Purpose Hall hosted a wide variety of sports, boxing matches, comedy acts, music and more over its nearly 50-year lifespan. Seven Capital Intend to demolish it and not replace it. They have claimed viability but have never produced any evidence of their claims. They haven't even produced a feasibility study. Yet there is funding available from bodies like Sport England.
'Wednesday 26th March is the final day for people to submit their comments and objections against the plans to demolish the Sports Hall and not replace it.
'Sport England, South Swindon Parish Council, and many residents have already objected. Add your name to the list before it is too late.
'There is also a pending Asset of Community Value application for the Hall, so the pressure is really on Swindon Borough Council Planning department to approve this and decline the application to demolish the existing hall, unless a restoration or rebuild is proposed on the same site.
'The real reason Seven Capital don't want a Hall at Oasis is because it decreases their land available for apartments.
'The Oasis put Swindon on the map, please help to stop it becoming hemmed in by hundreds of flats and a shadow of its former self. The Oasis is a Swindon Institution and a famous site - to have an Oasis without a Hall is quite frankly unthinkable.'
