AN update has been released surrounding the potential reopening of the iconic Swindon Oasis leisure centre.

An agreement to refurbish the much-loved facility - closed since late 2020 -  has recently been signed by Swindon Borough Council and developer SevenCapital, paving the way for plans to be submitted this year.

The two parties have been working on a deal for months that would see the leaseholder use its own money to restore the public facility. 

Once the revamp and lease have been completed, the Oasis and North Star sites would be sold to SevenCapital, with the council having the option to buy the refurbished Oasis.

The council says as part of the development agreement, safeguards are in place to retain the swimming pool’s popular slides and a wave machine, while the lease to the tenant will also include a 10-year keep open clause.

But many facilities will be lost as part of the plans - the skate park is being moved elsewhere, the BMX track and football pitches will be going and the sports hall and concert venue will be demolished.

A social media post on Friday morning said: "The wave machine and Domebusters are a step closer to making a return at the Oasis."

It is anticipated a planning application for the Oasis will be submitted in the third quarter of this year.

Councillor Jim Robbins, leader of the council, said: “I am really pleased that after many months of working with SevenCapital we have delivered a deal which will not just see the Oasis reopened, but will preserve the famous dome, the wave machine and of course the fabulous slides that were synonymous with the facility for so many years.

"These were what local people said they cherished most about the leisure centre and we have made keeping them a priority.

“We have also inserted a buy-back option for the Oasis and a keep-open clause because it is vital we have safeguards in place to ensure what has happened previously does not happen again.

“We are closer than we have ever been to seeing the Oasis reopened for local people to enjoy once again and now the ball is firmly in SevenCapital’s court to agree a lease with a tenant and confirm the specifications that will give the Oasis a long-term sustainable future.

“I look forward to seeing the planning application coming forward later this year.”

Damien Siviter, group managing director at SevenCapital added: “SevenCapital and Swindon Borough Council have a mutual goal of breathing new life into the Oasis for the community and future generations to enjoy.

“We’re delighted to have reached this agreement, which marks a positive step forward, and look forward to a continued close working partnership with the Council as we push ahead with our plans.”

While this will come as welcome news for many, there are some, including the campaign group Save Oasis Swindon, who feel the deal to allow SevenCapital to build homes on much of the and around the centre doesn't go far enough to retain many of the Oasis' other facilities. 

The sports hall and concert venue has become the focus of the public campaign group, who feel that without 'dry-side' facilities like the sports hall, that the pool will be unviable and the new building would not be the Oasis Leisure Centre people know and love. 

A protest urging the council and Seven Capital to keep the hall was held at the site earlier this year, and 1,300 people have signed a petition saying the same. 

But the council insists the new leisure centre will be viable without and they have plans to build a music venue elsewhere.