Part of the Oasis leisure centre could be moved to a new location by the end of the year, it has been confirmed.

The Oasis skate park is one of the only parts of the leisure site still in use, although it is no longer maintained.

It was “unlikely to fit into the developer’s long-term plans for site regeneration” at the Oasis, according to a parish council planning application to move the skate park.

So Central Swindon North Parish Council was granted permission to move it to the derelict Penhill Bowls Club as part of a project to turn the site into a community hub.

A parish spokesperson said: “The intention is for the items to be refurbished and bought to the Penhill site in line with the completion timeline.

“Site completion is subject to many variables. However, currently, the project is progressing well, and it is still projected that the site should be completed in late 24 / early 25.

READ MORE: Derelict bowls club to be transformed into ‘thriving’ hub

(Image: ODS)

“Once the site can accommodate the skate kit it will be arranged to be transported over.”

The plan is to lay hard standing on the old bowling green for the skate park. Meanwhile, the old clubhouse, which fell into disrepair after the pandemic, will be restored to offer spaces for meetings, recreational activities, and social gatherings.

The original proposal to move the skatepark also included a cafe and shop which would sell skateboard-related products to open at specific times and run by volunteers.

To fund the new facility, the parish council has secured £145,000 in capital & £20,000 in revenue funding from the government’s Youth Investment Fund.

This will partly pay for the hard standing, estimated to cost around £30,000.

SevenCapital, the Oasis’ leaseholders, agreed to give the skatepark to the parish council earlier this year and refurbish it so it would last another 10 to 15 years.

READ MORE: Abandoned Oasis facility set to be relocated elsewhere in Swindon

A council spokesperson said until the equipment is moved, it is working with Seven Capital to arrange the refurbishment.

In the planning application for the new site, the council extolls the benefits of skate parks: “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.”

There will be a public engagement session on October 22 2024 between 4-6pm at John Moulton Hall for residents to look at plans and give feedback.