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£65m overhaul of Oasis a step closer (From Swindon Advertiser)
Get involved! Send photos, video, news & views. Text SWINDON NEWS to 80360 or email us
£65m overhaul of Oasis a step closer
10:13am Monday 26th March 2012 in News By Scott McPherson
THE £65m overhaul of the Oasis leisure centre is a step closer after leases between the council and the private developer were signed.
The scheme, which will include the construction of an indoor ski slope, indoor arena and water park will now press ahead after Moirai Capital Investments Limited signed on the dotted line.
Under the plan, the Oasis will be handed over to a private operator on June 1 and be totally refurbished.
Work to breathe new life into the venue will start in the next few months and be completed in a year’s time.
It will include the replacement of the dome and refurbishment of the leisure centre to restore it to its former glory.
A three-month consultation will now begin with Oasis staff as is law when a business is transferred to another company.
The overall leisure scheme is expected to create 1,700 jobs, including approximately 400 full-time and 600 part-time positions, as well as creating several hundred other jobs through construction and ongoing supported activity associated with the development.
It is anticipated the development will be a major boost to the local economy as projections have estimated it will attract up to 4 million visitors a year.
The council has entered into a collaboration agreement with Moirai after granting four long-term leases covering the Oasis and the former Clares site.
If key targets are not met in delivering the new facilities, the council has the right to take back the leases. The council has also agreed that it will receive an income stream for granting the leases.
Under the terms of the agreement, a planning application for a master plan of the former Clares site opposite the Oasis, would be required within two years of the lease being granted. Detailed planning applications would then be submitted for each individual phase.
Moirai have confirmed they have firm interest from potential operators or occupiers for 60 per cent of the site.
Councillor Keith Williams, Swindon Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Corporate Services, said: “The signing of the leases is a major step forward in our plans to turn Swindon into a major leisure destination.
“This leisure scheme is really exciting for the whole town and will really put us on the map. I look forward to seeing the development progressing over the coming months.”
Martin Barber, who is leading the Moirai development, said: “We are delighted to have reached agreement with the council, and to have exchanged contracts. The real work now begins.
“We are ready to press forward enthusiastically with the first phase, the refurbishment of the Oasis Leisure Centre. We have already plans in hand for the replacement of the Dome and the refurbishment of the changing accommodation.
"Over the coming 12 months, we shall be undertaking a significant facelift of the centre to ensure that it returns to a facility of which Swindon can be proud.
“In terms of the further developments on the other areas of the site, we shall shortly be able to make some significant announcements about our proposals to position Swindon as the major leisure and entertainment destination for the south-west.
“All this will be undertaken with consultation with both the council and local residents, and we shall be launching a website to ensure that there is access to information on what is proposed and any opportunity for feedback.
“This development will transform the area, bringing life and activity to derelict sites and providing significant job opportunities. We look forward to Swindon showing the way with such a major regeneration project.”
Comments(35)
Robfm
says...
10:55am Mon 26 Mar 12
It does however appear that the developer doesn't have a 'real' penalty clause if they pulled out. Forfeiture of the lease means little if they don't go ahead. There should have been a financial penalty as well.
We saw it with Digital City targets were set, not met and we still paid out.
mrwoo
says...
11:48am Mon 26 Mar 12
Always Grumpy
says...
11:49am Mon 26 Mar 12
itsamess
says...
12:33pm Mon 26 Mar 12
This could change our entertainment and leisure scene immensely. The Council will derive income from it and so will the town and move regeneration forward--at last.
Bobby Wright
says...
12:35pm Mon 26 Mar 12
Always Grumpy wrote:If the vile gentlemen and women of trashswindon get their noses into it, then they’re bound to start throwing wild accusations of corruption and underhanded deals around that will scare off yet more potential investors in Swindon.
Well, that's some good news to start the week. Let's hope it all goes ahead without too many hiccups.
About time these Muppets were held to account with an AK47
Robfm
says...
12:48pm Mon 26 Mar 12
What a jerk.
Always Grumpy
says...
1:07pm Mon 26 Mar 12
Bobby Wright wrote:Couldn't agree more.
Always Grumpy wrote:If the vile gentlemen and women of trashswindon get their noses into it, then they’re bound to start throwing wild accusations of corruption and underhanded deals around that will scare off yet more potential investors in Swindon.
Well, that's some good news to start the week. Let's hope it all goes ahead without too many hiccups.
About time these Muppets were held to account with an AK47
There are far too many who knock every bit of good news regarding Swindon - why I have no idea. The towns also seems to be the butt of many jokes on TV as well.
Having travelled around most of the country over the years, I can say with all honesty there are many far worse places to live than Swindon.
PaulD
says...
1:56pm Mon 26 Mar 12
Punctured bicycle on a hillside
says...
2:01pm Mon 26 Mar 12
Robfm wrote:Can't you just stick to the story instead of being abusive to other posters?
Ah so now Walters seen the leases, and from Korea no less.
What a jerk.
This is a terrific news and a very important announcement for Swindon yet you just want to turn it into another endless spat between yourself and messy.
itsamess
says...
3:16pm Mon 26 Mar 12
I can read--unlike you!
This company has an excellent track record--and an excellent website.
Lovely to see we will still retain what is an iconic building and managed by a very professional company.
dglaholm
says...
3:52pm Mon 26 Mar 12
oldbutawake
says...
4:47pm Mon 26 Mar 12
Would look good on the Clares site.
I come from the outskirts of London and when I moved here back in the '80s I was astounded at the leisure facilities that Swindon had. My old "Royal" borough still can't match them 25 years later.
Swindon is an old industrial town and may not have the nicest architecture but there is plenty going on here and most of it is good!
I Too
says...
5:39pm Mon 26 Mar 12
Hope they include an Airkix like the one at Milton Keynes Ski Dome
http://m.flickr.com/
#/photos/73970391@N0
3/sets/7215762918412
3578/
Good point about Claires site.
The Ski Dome at MK is huge. Doubt that would fit on just the Oasis site
http://m.flickr.com/
#/photos/73970391@N0
3/6790156266/in/set-
72157628887121529/
I'm Important
says...
6:27pm Mon 26 Mar 12
Robfm wrote:On the wifi thread you plead that everybody picks on you?
Ah so now Walters seen the leases, and from Korea no less.
What a jerk.
Then you come on this thread and start name calling?
Wind your neck in.
This may be a turning point for Swindon.
Nobody cares about your small time political point scoring.
Let the people of Swindon have an adult conversation for a change.
The same applies to any psuedo councillors of any party.
Just for once let's all think together and try to do something right for the residents of Swindon.
Let's see if this can create something good on a brownfield site without destroying anything valued.
It has great potential
Could the Adver please censor Robfm for just 1 week and we will see if a thread can go by unspoilt for a change?
MrAngry
says...
7:06pm Mon 26 Mar 12
On a similar note, does anyone know what happened to the zip wire/tree canopy course that was planned for Lydiard?
Robfm
says...
9:19pm Mon 26 Mar 12
PeeGee
says...
9:20pm Mon 26 Mar 12
I'm Important
says...
10:38pm Mon 26 Mar 12
Robfm wrote:?!?
I'm Important says 'so who exactly are you. Clearly another troll.
Punctured bicycle on a hillside
says...
10:42pm Mon 26 Mar 12
Robfm wrote:It's time the good people of Swindon and readers of this forum rose up against the relentless negativity, trolling and unspeakably hideous looks of Robfm.
I'm Important says 'so who exactly are you. Clearly another troll.
He's a meddlesome nitwit who needs to be crushed and sent back to the darkest corner of the country where he came from. A place where they never learn to read or write properly and look like beastly gargoyles.
I'm not entirely sure exactly where that is but it's somewhere in the south-east and his accent is a cross between Wurzel Gummidge and Arthur Mullard, so maybe Maidstone or Ashford.
greenpacer
says...
12:01am Tue 27 Mar 12
Always Grumpy
says...
7:52am Tue 27 Mar 12
greenpacer wrote:With their current record of 'improving' road layouts in the town (having a cyclist in charge doesn't help), I wouldn't bank on the council actually 'improving' it!
It sounds like a good plan. I don't like the council wriggling out of running the site though. One thing has'nt been mentioned. Road access to the site ! If the site is too become oh such more popular then the road infrastructure needs updating. Is that in the plans also ?
It will no doubt end up with only buses, taxis, tandems and cart horses having access to the new centre.
Robfm
says...
8:59am Tue 27 Mar 12
Certainly the road access will need to be dramatically improved as has been said, preferably before the main work starts.
itsamess
says...
3:23pm Tue 27 Mar 12
Robfm wrote:Bob
Of course if the projected leisure facilities do go ahead it will be good for Swindon.
It does however appear that the developer doesn't have a 'real' penalty clause if they pulled out. Forfeiture of the lease means little if they don't go ahead. There should have been a financial penalty as well.
We saw it with Digital City targets were set, not met and we still paid out.
This has been discussed many times--and ultimately this project is being financed--not by us C/T payers--by a very successful company with a proven track record in leisure.
The council had previously planned other projects for links to the town centre. With careful planning a good access road could link the project to the outlet village--and of course the tunnels beneath the 2 sides of rodbourne rd could be opened for pedestrians--as in the days of the rail works.
You clearly did not read all the information and therefore no 'caveat' exists--that is if you understand the meaning.
Robfm_ talkspoo
says...
5:15pm Tue 27 Mar 12
Check this out....
http://juniusonukip.
blogspot.co.uk/2009/
02/bob-feal-martinez
-banned-from-junius.
html
Robfm
says...
5:39pm Tue 27 Mar 12
SBC have given the developer the land, how is that good fiscal management.
Heavens yet another incarnation and another repeat. I wish the trolls would try harder there's more repeats on here than the BBC.
I'm Important
says...
5:41pm Tue 27 Mar 12
Punctured bicycle on a hillside
says...
7:43pm Tue 27 Mar 12
itsamess
says...
4:45am Wed 28 Mar 12
What part of this do you not understand--the part where it is a collaboration--or that it produces an income stream for SBC--with £65m development alone on the Oasis--sounds pretty sound to me--especially as it is being paid for by Morai--and council staff transferring to the new company--win win.
Robfm
says...
8:00am Wed 28 Mar 12
Walter you know no more than what the article says, once again SBC will hide behind the Commercial confidentiality they are so fond of.
So clever know it all what exactly is the income stream SBC will derive.
Do you actually believe the staff will welcome being transferred, I think not.
itsamess
says...
12:12pm Wed 28 Mar 12
The council have not hidden behind confidentiality as they have no investment in the company.They will derive an income from leases and terms of the leases + business rates.
As for staff at the oasis--well if they do not want to join the new company--the council will either give them jobs in other leisure centres--or make them redundant.
We the c/t payers will benefit as will the town as a whole. The walkway over the railways will also be a great addition.
Punctured bicycle on a hillside
says...
8:20am Fri 30 Mar 12
Yeah right Punctured like I spend endless waking hours like you and the rest getting off on discovering something new about me.
I can assure you Robbo my waking hours are not spent trawling the internet (unlike yourself) and if they were I wouldn't need to look far to find the plethora of allegations of your lies, bragging and deceitful behaviour on other sites. The sort of behaviour we have grown accustomed to here.
What a dreadful reputation you've made for yourself.
Robfm
says...
11:50am Fri 30 Mar 12
itsamess
says...
12:56pm Fri 30 Mar 12
Punctured bicycle on a hillside
says...
6:13pm Fri 30 Mar 12
Your dasterdly deeds are done Robbo, doesn't matter what names you want to call people who remember them.
sn5 says...
10:34am Mon 26 Mar 12
No doubt the bad news merchants & labour party members will come on line and tell us what a bad thing this is.