THE decision to extend key deadlines for the refurbishment of the Oasis Leisure Centre has been criticised by the leader of the opposition.

Last month it emerged that the council had given Moirai dates by which to carry out key works on a proposed multi-million pound re-development of the site.

Part of the conditions of Moirai being given the lease in 2013 was to refurbish the existing centre as well as develop a huge leisure facility which would include an indoor ski-slope and a 5,000 seat arena.

Many of those deadlines were missed and last month the council changed the terms of the lease, saying the company was in the last-chance saloon.

The work to repair the poolside changing rooms and iconic dome must be completed by March 31 next year, a masterplan for the site needs to be done by next May and consent must be granted by early 2016.

Failure to comply with these dates could see the council cancel the lease and take the site back.

However, with so many problems plaguing the Oasis since the lease was signed, Labour has said the extension should not have been given.

On top of that, they are angry the decision was made in private and has not been given a public airing.

Labour Group leader Coun Jim Grant (Lab, Rodbourne Cheney) said: “I am disappointed with this decision, not only because I think that after Moirai failed to meet their targets in the development agreement it is time for the council to break from the development agreement, but also because of the way the leader of the council has taken this decision behind closed doors.

“And, make no mistake, the land the council is agreeing to give away to Moirai is worth millions of pounds so to give it away to a company whose record so far has been very disappointing doesn’t make sense.

“What we should be doing is looking for another private provider to take over the running of this development who has a proven track record on delivering on large schemes such as this one.”

The council leader Coun David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) has defended the decision saying he still has faith the deal will benefit Swindon.

He said: “The Labour Group leader is wrong in all his key points. The council has not given away any land.

“We decided last May to extend the deadlines because our developer, like many private sector builders, needed more time to raise the capital.

“I remain convinced that this development still offers the best chance for Swindon to attract £65m of investment and get a regional leisure destination.

“Nevertheless, in August I agreed the final set of deadlines that, if Moirai fail to meet them, will mean that the council starts the process to end this agreement.

“Yet again, the opposition has shown that it is only capable of saying no. A successful future for Swindon means at some point you have to say yes to developers.”