Protesters gathered outside the Oasis Leisure Centre at the weekend to protest against plans which would see the centre's sports hall demolished.

The Save Oasis Swindon (SOS) campaign group gathered in the car park beside the sports hall on Sunday, holding signs and singing songs as they demanded that the sports hall and music venue be saved.

Neil Robinson, organiser of the campaign group, said that if the historic Grade II-listed centre was not reopened he would consider leaving Swindon, calling it the last thing going for the town.

As rain fell on protestors, a musician sang songs and another woman read a poem in defiance of the decision to remove the beloved music venue and sports hall.

SOS have appealed to the operators to keep the hall open rather than demolishing it which is what has been proposed.

Neil, who lives in Swindon, said: “It’s a Swindon institution that we can’t lose, it is important for people to have music and events at the Oasis because that is what it is famous for, knocking it down and putting it elsewhere is going to anger a lot of people.

“It is part of a whole package, saving it will help save the pool as well because the income from the dry side can help support the pool.

“It is iconic, it is known nationally. It is a bit of a legendary place, knocking this down people are going to be very angry.

“It is a part of our culture and way of life, people came here to socialise, have parties here, to see concerts, to watch boxing matches, it brings Swindon together.”

Susan Walklate, a Swindon resident who witnessed the opening of the leisure centre, added: “People need somewhere to go, they need somewhere to have leisure and especially with what we have been through the past three or four years with covid, to be able get out and meet people again is brilliant.

“The Oasis on its own is pointless, it was a thriving centre in lots of ways.

“I think it is something that is important to Swindon," the 66-year-old continued.

Parish Councillor Bazil Solomon said: “The youth are struggling after the pandemic and there are no facilities for them.

“People with illnesses and different minorities need a facility and they need somewhere to come.

“We need somewhere to go for our mental and physical health, we need to look after ourselves.”

The historic leisure centre closed its doors in 2020 and has been left empty since. At the end of 2023 a deal was struck between Swindon Borough Council and Seven Capital, the company which owns the building.

The plans initially did not involve the wave machine but a U-turn decision saw that change. The plans in their current form however do not include the sports hall, with many residents calling for this to remain.

SOS has argued that the Oasis is not the Oasis without the sports hall and that the services that would be provided are essential to the people of Swindon.

The potential operators for the Oasis have now been identified as either Everyone Active or Better. Once Seven Capital has fully refurbished the centre, it will be able to buy the land for at least £6 million.