The campaign group that has fought to see the Oasis Leisure Centre reopened now has a clear message for its potential new operators - save the sports hall. 

It was recently revealed that Better and Everyone Active were the two leisure operators that have put in bids to take over the building once it has been refurbished by leaseholders SevenCapital as part of a deal with Swindon Borough Council. 

But it has been known for several months that this deal doesn't include the sports hall and concert venue which will be demolished as part of the plans, despite strong objections from local campaign groups and even national bodies like Sports England. 

Now Save Oasis Swindon has directly addressed Better and Everyone Active to urge them to consider keeping the hall. 

"The Save Oasis Swindon (SOS) Campaign, along with Sport England strongly believe that the Oasis must retain its dry side facilities

"Not only to future proof the viability of the site, but most importantly to keep pace with the health and wellbeing requirements for a town of Swindon's enormous size.

"A planning application is due to be submitted soon, and the Save Oasis campaign will continue to fight with Sports England to urge the potential new Oasis operators to either restore the current hall or build a new one.

"Swindon residents demand it and they deserve it."

An objection to the removal of the hall submitted by Sports England last year revealed that it considers Swindon residents to be underserved when it comes to leisure facilities. 

But the council has claimed that in response to the loss of the hall, it will build other facilities elsewhere to mitigate its loss. 

The group has approached the CEO of an unrelated leisure chain, who it says told them: "A sports hall should wash its face financially - staffing is minimal and income is flexible, but you may wish to limit opening during day time to keep costs down.

"But far better to keep what you have than decide you could do with one later."

In the Everyone Active plan, there will be a swimming pool and changing rooms, a fitness studio and cafe and a gym and in the Better plan, there will be a swimming pool, gym cafe and ten-pin bowling.