A spectacular fireworks display celebrated an iconic Swindon leisure centre’s 50th anniversary.
On New Year’s Day, a crowd gathered to watch explosions of colour in the night sky above the Oasis Leisure Centre, half a century after the much-loved facility opened.
Comedian Ivo Graham helped Save Oasis Swindon campaigners with the countdown, former deputy general manager Chic Carvell spoke to the crowd, and a former lifeguard volunteered to help marshal the event.
Security staff replaced the fuses inside the original lights around the dome to make the grade II-listed structure light up for the first time in years.
Save Oasis Swindon campaigner Neil Robinson said: “The stars really aligned for us. We had perfect, cold crisp weather and a full moon, perfect conditions for fireworks.
“The iconic Oasis dome was illuminated again, which was a rare sight. We had an amazing turnout. It was a great community event.
“A lot of logistics and work went on behind the scenes into planning the event, which was complex to organise with a lot of moving parts.
“It was just great to see the Oasis site come to life again with an event after being out of use for five years.
“People who attended all felt very strongly about rebuilding a complete Oasis complex with a rebuilt Multi-Purpose Hall, and that it must reopen soon. They were vocal about it.
“They feel that they are not being listened to by Swindon Borough Council.”
Are you able to publish the SBC email address we all need to write to, to help you with your campaign?
The firework display was great – I gladly contributed.
Do you have any “campaign” group meetings anywhere that can be attended by those of us in Swindon who want to find out more/get involved?
Hi Lorraine. I am so glad that you helped support the fireworks event and came along to show your support. It means a lot. A lot of stress went into planning that.
We have a Campaign whatsapp group, I can add you to that if you want to join the team. Please email me your phone number.
For the mean time, please continue to pressure Cllr Jim Robbins, and MP Will Stone. They seem to side with Seven Capital. They want to surround the Oasis site with housing and not rebuild the hall. That is wrong. The Oasis will close again if it is a shadow of what it was.
Thanks.
Neil