Latest news with #SaveOasisSwindon
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bid to make Oasis centre asset of community value
A campaign group which wants a leisure centre to become a community asset say current development plans will make it a "shadow of its former self". Swindon's Oasis Leisure Centre closed during the pandemic and is due to be redeveloped by leaseholders Seven Capital. The firm plans to build 700 homes on the site while also restoring its dome and pool, which are listed. The proposals also include knocking down a sports hall without replacement. Swindon Borough Council confirmed it is in the process of "determining" a nomination from campaign group Save Oasis Swindon for the leisure centre to become an asset of community value. "We're concerned that without a hall and surrounded by flats, it's going to be a shadow of its former self," said Neil Robinson, from the campaign group. He told the BBC the asset of community value application will "keep pressure on the council and Seven Capital to revisit these plans and include a hall in them". The campaign group previously put an asset of community value bid covering just the sports hall, but this was rejected. Speaking about that decision, the council's cabinet member for finance Kevin Small said the nomination "did not meet the required tests". The campaign group has now put in a fresh bid for the wider site and says it has included further evidence. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire Mr Robinson says he does not feel the current plans are enough for Swindon and its "iconic" leisure centre. "It should be restore the Oasis leisure centre in full first - and then build the houses," he said. "Not reduce it." The campaign group hopes people in Swindon would have a "little more control" over the centre's future if it did become an asset of community value, Mr Robinson said. Seven Capital has not responded to the application. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Oasis renovation is our priority, says developer Last attempt to save Oasis hall before demolition Sporting body objects to loss of indoor facilities Oasis proposals Save Oasis Swindon
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why has an icon of British music turned its attention towards Swindon?
Music magazine NME has seemingly taken an interest in the future of the Oasis leisure centre thanks to an appeal from Ivo Graham. The stand-up comedian and writer has spoken out on a number of issues close to the heart of Swindon residents in recent months, including by lending his voice to the protest against Swindon Town FC owner Clem Morfuni. And now Ivo's most recent plea has captured the attention of one of the cornerstones of the British music industry. On Wednesday, Ivo posted a video of himself wearing a bucket hat and a Swindon Town replica kit, telling viewers it was their "final day to voice objections to the permanent demise" of the Oasis leisure centre. While Ivo urges the town's residents to make their voices heard, NME appears to have taken particular fascination with the comedian's moustache, stating: "Comedian Ivo Graham and his 'Nick Cave moustache' get into hot tub to fight to save Swindon leisure centre.' Save the Oasis! @SaveOasis — Ivo Graham (@IvoGraham) March 26, 2025 Read More: Aftermath of Swindon Londis incident as police cordon off area Ivo explains to the audience that he is growing the moustache for a 'Nick Cave party.' The second half of the video shows him 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 the 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.' The leisure centre already has links to another icon of British music, having inspired Liam Gallagher to change his band's name from The Rain to Oasis. Save Oasis Swindon released a statement also asking for residents to submit objections against the plans to demolish the sports hall and not replace it. Read More: 'Busy' GWH Hospital issues urgent A&E plea to Swindon public 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 intends 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. '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.'
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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.'
BBC News
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Film crews are spotted at Swindon's Oasis Leisure Centre
A large film production is currently under way at the closed Oasis Leisure Centre, well-known for its listed centre in Swindon is in need of refurbishment and is the subject of a long campaign and planning filming on the site is rumoured to be for a sci-fi series, but security there told a BBC reporter they could not say anything about the leaseholders of the site, Seven Capital, have declined to comment. Neil Robinson - founder of the Save Oasis Swindon campaign - said they got a social media message last month saying diggers had been seen in front of the centre."We went over to the Oasis and we spoke to them and they said they were a film company and they were preparing for filming for a sci-fi series," said Mr told him they would be there for a couple of BBC reporter was not allowed in or given any information, but saw huge lights, catering crew and sound hopes are for the site to re-open as a leisure centre in 2026 after being closed since 2020.
