Some of Swindon's most deprived areas could see sports facilities built as part of the deal that would save the Oasis leisure from closure.

A bid for millions in cash from Sport England to fund them is in the pipeline – although plans are at a very early stage.

Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins told councillors on the authority’s overview and scrutiny committee and members of the public filling the committee room that he wanted the council to bid for a grant in a discussion about the refurbishment of the Oasis centre.

He had been asked about the plans for the centre which would see much of the ‘dry side’ of the centre - most notably the sports hall and music venue - levelled and not replaced.

Cllr Robbins said: “The meeting I was in before coming here was with Sport England.

“They have funds they want to spend on sports facilities, particularly in areas of higher deprivation.

“We will be working with WASP – Wiltshire & Swindon Sport, which is the local co-ordinating body, to look at how we can get good quality facilities for sport and activity in the most deprived wards in the town.”

Asked by the Adver after the meeting how much money might be available from Sport England Cllr Robbins said: “It’s not immediately clear. It is a £250m fund split between 30 local authorities over five years – but we need to have coherent plans and to bid for the money.”

And Cllr Robbins and the cabinet member for finance and strategic planning Councillor Kevin Small also indicated that more arts or performance facilities might be in the administration’s plans, specifically, at least in part, to address the loss of the sports hall. It was once used as the concert venue that is said to have given Manchester band Oasis their name.

Cllr Small had told the committee that he regretted the loss of the dry side facilities but added: “There are two operators who have expressed interest in running the new refurbished Oasis, but neither have asked for a sports hall or expressed an interest in one on viability grounds.”

Although details are scarce the councillors indicated that the council is looking at the possibility of a venue near the bus station in the centre of town.

Developer Seven Capital has a 99-year lease on the Oasis building, with about 90 years left to run, meaning it effectively owns the site.

The leisure centre has been shut since November 2020, the start of the autumn lockdown, when operator GLL said it could not make enough of a profit running it.

The dome and pool area were listed in late 2021.