The reunion of rock band Oasis, and the huge interest and controversy about getting tickets for their 2025 shows has driven a major increase in attention to Swindon’s Oasis leisure centre, according to campaigners.

The centre, which has been closed for nearly four years since the autumn 2020 lockdown, gave its name to the band when Noel Gallagher worked there as a roadie for Inspiral Carpets playing there in the early 1990s.

Now the Save Oasis Swindon Campaign says the renewed interest should be an impetus to restoring the centre and re-opening it, with a sports hall.

Currently plans omit a hall or any facility which could allow the sort of concerts which spawned the rock band.

The campaign team has written to Damien Siviter the managing director of the de facto owners of the Oasis Seven Capital.

Their group's email says: ”The surge of interest in the Oasis reunion unlocks a whole new chapter for the Save Oasis Swindon Campaign, and probably a positive one for your development. 

 “Save Oasis social media channels and Wikipedia page have seen unprecedented levels of interest from around the world, not just in the Oasis Leisure Centre, but also the campaign and state of the building.

 “We welcome the band reunion, which has thrown the spotlight back onto the famous Leisure Centre. The band couldn't have come back at a better time.

 “Demolishing the Oasis Hall and either not restoring or rebuilding a new one, during the same year of the reunion concerts, likely will backfire massively.

 “Swindon Borough Council informed us a few months ago, that they submitted our petition to you to reinstate a Hall in your new plans for the Oasis. 

 “Councillor Jim Robbins told us that Seven Capital's response was "positive". What does this mean, are you taking a serious look at this? Where are you currently at with your agreement with an operator?”

The letter says a restored hall being built at the same time as next year’s Oasis concerts would be a great opportunity for publicity, and urges the developer to sell the idea to potential leisure operators who are said to be reluctant to run the centre with a hall.

 It concludes: “We want live music back at the Oasis. Including a hall in new plans would provide a massive boost to our town's residents, which is struggling for facilities.

“Now that interest has rocketed, now is Seven Capital's chance to do something amazing, and reinstate the hall. Anyone who dismisses the band's connection has underestimated its significance and risks being perceived as out of touch.”

Mr Siviter’s response says: “We are also working closely with the planners and  have just started an Oasis website that will give regular updates on progress.

“We look forward to doing a public consultation in the not-too-distant future where there will be an opportunity to view plans and ask questions directly.

“There are many moving parts and this is a complex situation, especially given the listing so it will take time, but there is much more positivity around the scheme and we are hoping to have a scheme ready for discussion soon.”

Seven Capital was awarded a 99-year lease on the site about 10 years ago, so the company is the effective owner, even though Swindon Borough Council owns the land.

The centre was operated by specialist leisure company Better, but it said it was impossible to make enough of a profit in 2020 and handed back the keys. Better said the fabric of the building made it hugely expensive to heat and ventilate.

The famous dome and pool area was listed in 2022 making it much harder to be able to demolish and start again with a totally new design for the centre.