A major step has been taken in moving the Oasis skate park to another site - the land occupied by the former Penhill Bowls Club.

Central Swindon North Parish Council has applied for planning permission to lay hard standing on the old bowling green used by the club’s players in order to install the skate ramps and half pipes that will be moved from the Oasis leisure centre.

The council’s application says the park is a crucial facility for young people in the area: “The Oasis Leisure Centre and its associated grounds have been closed to the general public since 2020.

“Within the Oasis grounds lies a well-used seven-piece skate park. The apparatus is no longer maintained as this was the responsibility of the former tenant, it is also unlikely to fit into the developer’s long-term plans for site regeneration.

“There is a risk therefore the skate park could be removed as a local amenity.”

The council extolls the benefits of skate parks as a facility for young people: “Skate parks generally are hard wearing and do not require high levels of maintenance provided a correct inspection regime is in place.

“The activity is generally under-resourced despite offering healthy outdoor exercise for modern youths, being the third most popular recreational activity for those under 19 years of age.

“Skateboarding is now an embedded part of UK youth culture. Skateboarding is a relatively inexpensive activity that requires little equipment, provided there is a facility.

“In addition, it is safer for young people to skateboard in a designated location than in the street. Skateparks are shown to improve the health and well-being of users and reduce social exclusion and improve self-esteem amongst users.”

Leaseholders for the Oasis, SevenCapital, technically own the skate park as part of the overall site for the facility, but earlier this year they agreed to give it to the parish council. 

But the company said while it was happy to make a gift of the equipment and refurbish it so it lasted another decade or more, it wouldn’t pay for the head standing.

That has been funded by a £165,000 grant from the youth investment fund as the parish council is also proposing a refurbishment of the bowls clubhouse as part of a package to create a new youth facility to go with the skate park.