Page 35 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • December 2012 35
town growth

200 metre slope, a shorter training
slope and a snowball throwing area.
The arena will be the largest in the
south outside London, big enough
to attract some of the bigger touring
acts, and capable of accommodating
large exhibitions and sports events.
The existing vehicle through route
will be closed so that a pedestrian
plaza can be created between the
main facilities.
A value hotel is proposed behind
the Oasis so that visitors can stay
after a day of fun, or a concert, as
well as a 10 pin bowling centre.
Some form of accommodation,
whether apartments or student
flats, is also being considered.
To provide for the huge influx
of visitors three multi-storey car
parks are planned, whilst Swin-
don Council is looking at greatly
improved pedestrian routes over
the railway from the town centre.
It has already committed £10m to
rebuilding Bruce Street Bridges
roundabouts to improve traffic flow
on Great Western Way. COFFEE SHOP
Moirai was set up by a group of
investors led by chairman of the open for
board Martin Barber who said he Breakfasts,
had been looking for a project. “I Lunches
had retired from companies in the
UK and the USA and having been & Teas
responsible for X-scape in Milton
Keynes, Castleford and Braehead,
Scotland, I was looking for a site
in the south to get involved with.
“Swindon Council were inter- PET FOOD
ested in working with us and it’s SPECIAL OFFERS
been a very productive relationship.
This project is very exciting and James Wellbeloved 15kg Adult
will put Swindon once again at the Special offer price only £41.99
forefront for leisure.” Whiskas 12 pack pouch
Fellow Moirai partner Peter Simply or Bite and Chew
Holmes said: “When it opened in Buy 2 packs get 1 extra free
the 1970s the Oasis was one of the
first in Britain to create the concept Tub of 50 Fat Snax for Wild Birds
of a leisure destination. We are very Only £9.99 (RRP £12.99)
pleased that Moirai were chosen
by Swindon Council to recreate
that vision of the town as a major Quality English Christmas trees
attraction. from only £14.99
“Situated between the O2 Arena,
the NEC and the Cardiff Millen-
nium Centre, Swindon is the perfect
location for what we propose.
“Many visitors to the new devel-
opment will want to explore what
else Swindon and its surrounds
offer. The economic benefits to the
town are going to be huge.”
However councillors represent-
ing wards close to the Oasis are
seeking assurances that streets in
their areas will be protected from
the huge volume of traffic that will
come into the town.
Simon Jackson, chief executive of
town centre management company
InSwindon, said if a free flow of
people between the town centre
and North Star can be created, he
thought Swindon would become a
nationally recognised destination.

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