Plans to transform North Star into a major leisure destination will go before Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet next week (15 February).
Under the proposals drawn up by Moirai Capital Investments Limited, £65m would be invested to completely rejuvenate the Oasis Leisure Centre as well as developing an indoor ski slope, water park, indoor arena, hotel and other leisure and sports-related retail. Projections show the development could attract up to 4 million visitors a year, providing a major boost to Swindon’s economy.
It is anticipated the leisure scheme could create up to 1,700 jobs, including approximately 400 full-time and 600 part-time positions, as well as creating several hundred other jobs through construction and ongoing supported activity associated with the development.
If councillors approve the plan, the council would enter into a collaboration agreement and grant four long-term leases covering the Oasis and the former Clares site. If key targets are not met in delivering the new facilities, the council has the right to take back the leases. The council has also agreed that it will receive an income stream for granting the leases.
The development at North Star fits in with the council’s Leisure Strategy 2007-2027 which identifies a need for improving the borough’s leisure facilities either by refurbishing and improving the Oasis or by building new facilities.
Moirai were identified as the preferred private operator for the leisure scheme following a bid process that was evaluated by council officers, councillors from all parties, ward members and cabinet members.
The Moirai team is led by Martin Barber who was the founder and developer of the X-scape brand which was behind the Milton Keynes, Castleford and Braehead indoor ski slopes and has also developed a further 20 leisure parks.
The team includes S&P architects one of the UK’s specialist sports and leisure architects who have worked on numerous London 2012 projects as well as the Butlin Pavilion at Bognor Regis, K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley and a vast number of local authority-run leisure centres.
Other team members include Adrian McAlpine from Sir Robert McAlpine; ISG who have just finished the Olympic Velodrome; Buro Happold the engineering experts who work on the O2 Arena; LDA Design the landscape architects for the London 2012 Park; and Stace who are the current Project Management Team for the Wembley Park Development.
Moirai are currently working on a further six projects including a 125-acre development in Picketts Lock, Ealing and a 14-acre leisure park in Scotland.
Councillors will be asked to approve the development so the lease for the Oasis is granted as soon as possible. The Oasis would be refurbished to an agreed standard within 12 months of the start of the lease. If the lease is agreed the council would undertake a three-month TUPE consultation with Oasis staff.
Under the terms of the agreement, a planning application for a master plan of the former Clares site would be required within two years of the lease being granted. Detailed planning applications would then be submitted for each individual phase.
Moirai have indicated that they are confident all phases will be completed by the end of 2014 after confirming they have firm interest from potential operators/occupiers for 60% of the site.
Cllr Keith Williams, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Corporate Services, said: “I am delighted this proposal is being brought before the cabinet as it has the potential to be one of the most exciting developments Swindon has seen for many years.
“As we all know the Oasis is in need of refurbishment and this is a great opportunity to breathe new life into our leisure offer, bring significant benefits to the local economy and really put Swindon on the map as a major leisure destination. Our Leisure Strategy also highlighted that residents were keen to see an indoor ski facility in the town
“We have also included stringent targets associated with the leases and have negotiated that the council will receive an annual income from the development.”