AN AVID skateboarder has launched a petition to save the Oasis Skate Park, fearing it could be lost when the land around the leisure centre is redeveloped.

The skate park, along with the adjacent cycle speedway and BMX track, has been a popular attraction for a number of generations but there are concerns it could be lost under plans from Moirai, who hold the lease to the land, and aim to turn the whole area into a major leisure complex.

The company is set to put forward an outline planning application in the coming months, but initial designs show a 5,000 capacity arena is set to go on the site of the skate park.

The news has been met with concern by Diana Kirk, who runs the ATBShop SkateWarehouse, and many who use the park, who do not want to see an important facility lost.

Diana said: “This is something which is really important to Swindon. It is one of the few places where people of all ages can go to skate, no matter what age.

“There are some for children in Swindon, but not really for people over the age of 14. We know the Oasis is not the best skate park there is, but it is all we’ve got.

“Me and my husband put our heart and soul into ourt indoor skate-park, but it isn’t free and youngsters need somewhere they can be outdoors.

“If they get rid of it, it sends a really bad message to young people.”

On top of the skate-park, The cycle speedway is only one of seven left in the country, so Diana feels that is an extra reason to make sure the site is at least replaced if it can’t be saved.

Having spoken with developers, she says there appears to be no plans to replace it with another free skate park unless the money is put up.

Diana said: “So far, it seems a bit vague. We were first told there were no plans to keep the skate park but later told there was scope if someone else can fund it.

“We want to get our views across before the planning application goes in.”

Moirai say the specifics of the proposals have yet to be decided and they are seeking to get outline permission to move forward with the development, but say an indoor park is a possibility.

Moirai’s Bobby Rach said: “We have not at this stage concluded our activity list within the new North Star leisure development, as we are shortly to submit an outline planning application to Swindon Borough Council for leisure, sport retail and restaurant/bar uses.

“This anticipated planning approval will allow us the allocation of uses so that we can then develop a more-detailed leisure scheme appraisal.

“We have been approached by operators looking to create an indoor skate park in a safe environment, within a high ropes and climbing centre, which we will review once we receive further details of the concept, plans and operations.”

People canwho want to sign the petition can do so by visiting www.change.org and searching 'Oasis skate park'.