SWINDON Cycle Speedway is looking to the future after receiving assurances that its home will not be demolished under the Oasis Leisure Centre revamp.

The club had feared it would have to move elsewhere after failing to land guarantees that it would be part of a £65m overhaul of the run-down site.

Swindon Borough Council housing and leisure director Bernie Brannan stated the current position at the Swindon Sports Forum, held at New College on Wednesday.

But the club will have to find £50,000 to put up a 6ft perimeter fence, as well as carrying out other work to bring the facilities up to scratch.

Secretary Danny Harper said: “We were told there were no immediate plans to develop our patch of land and they were more than willing to let us keep it.

“The condition was that we would have to do up the site, which includes the fence covering quite a large area.

“There is nothing official yet but it looks quite positive.

“We are quite happy as we are already in the process of improving the site and have spent £3,200 on the track.

“The money for the fence is out there and we will have to sit down with the sports funding bodies and the council and look at the funding available.”

The need for a fence, which will stretch for up to 500 metres around the site, was demonstrated when the new track was damaged over the weekend.

The surface had been re-laid thanks to £2,500 raised in January, when riders used the circuit continuously for 24 hours.

Mr Harper said: “People came with their bikes over the weekend and caused massive rucks to the track .

“It’s a knock-on effect of not having a fence to keep people out and hopefully this can get under way once we have the money.”

The Oasis plans, being drawn up by property developer Moirai Capital Investments, will turn the centre into a regional tourist attraction with a hotel, indoor arena, ski slope and water park.

The 70-metre speedway circuit has been located behind the Oasis since it was built in 1976.

The club’s membership had dwindled but has risen from five to 40 since Mr Harper took over a year ago.

“I think the fact we have done the track up sends the message out that we want to improve the facilities and are looking to the future,” he said.

“We are also keen to involve local schools once we know for certain what is going to happen.

“There are still a few more hurdles to cross but we are getting there little by little, and as long as we meet the requirements we should be able to stay here.”

Coun Keith Williams, the cabinet member for leisure and corporate services, said: “Moirai have given a commitment that the cycle speedway club can remain on the site, subject to some conditions.

“They must invest in the facility and maintain it to an agreed standard. We have also told the club we will meet with them next week to help them identify any grants they can apply for which will help them upgrade the current facilities.