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Oasis Leisure Centre could reopen in 2026

Aled Thomas
Local Democracy Reporting Service
SEVEN CAPITAL An animated sketch showing the recognisable dome at left, a mum and two children about to cross the street into the centre also at left and three teenagers with a basketball leaving the facility at right SEVEN CAPITAL
An artist's impression of the new leisure centre. The previous centre has been closed since October 2020.

A long awaited leisure centre could reopen for its 50th anniversary next year if planning permission for its refurbishment can be approved.

Damien Siviter, CEO of Seven Capital, which holds a 99-year lease on the Oasis Leisure Centre site, told Swindon Borough Council that work would take 18 months once approved.

Councillor Stanka Adamcova referred to Seven Capital's previous ambition to reopen the centre in 2026 and asked whether that was still achievable.

Mr Siviter responded: "We all have to have a goal. It will broadly take 18 months from planning approval, so it is possible." The centre, opened originally in 1975, closed in October 2020.

Risks to timeline

Asked about the main risks to the timeline, Mr Siviter highlighted three key factors: the operator, the contractor, and finance.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he reassured councillors that Seven Capital was close to finalising a lease with its preferred operator, believed to be Better, the company which previously ran the centre.

Finance, he said, was being managed internally, with no debt on the centre, meaning no third parties needed to be consulted.

However, a contractor could not be appointed until planning permission was granted.

SEVEN CAPITAL Aerial view of the proposed centre showing the iconic dome as well as two outdoor tennis courts and parking facilities SEVEN CAPITAL
Seven Capital has submitted applications both to refurbish the leisure centre and to build 700 flats on the site as a way to finance the project

Councillor Dan Adams asked when a detailed application for the swimming pool, rather than just the dome and dry-side facilities, would be submitted.

Mr Siviter confirmed it would be soon, explaining: "We wanted to wait until after the public engagement.

"And we have fed that back to the operator, discussing wave machines and the slides.

"I think people will see how far we've moved from our original thinking to accommodate that feedback we received," he added.

Seven Capital has submitted applications both to refurbish the leisure centre and to build 700 flats on the site as a way to finance the project. However, neither application has yet been decided.

The company said if planning consent is not granted within the next few months, the long-awaited reopening in 2026 would be at risk.

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