| Link Centre | |
|---|---|
| Location | Swindon, England |
| Broke ground | 1983 |
| Opened | 1984 |
| Owner | Swindon Borough Council |
| Surface | Various |
| Construction cost | £9-11 million (est) |
| Architect | KP Parry (Thamesdown Borough Council) |
| Capacity | 6000 |
| Field dimensions | Roofed area 8760 sq. metres Height of roof 11.3 m Height to mast top 22.6 m Internal floor area 12,500 sq. metres Rink size 56 m x 26 m |
| Tenants | |
| Swindon Wildcats (Ice Hockey) Swindon Panthers (Ice Hockey) Swindon Topcats (Ice Hockey) Swindon Sonics (Basketball) |
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The Link Centre is a leisure centre in Swindon, England. The building was designed to be as energy efficient as possible with heat generated by the ice rink refrigeration system being used to warm its internal areas. Swindon Wildcats, an English Premier Ice Hockey League team, use the ice rink and facilities for their home games. It also contains the largest climbing wall in Wiltshire.[1]
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The centre was first commissioned by Thamesdown Borough Council (later renamed Swindon Borough Council) in 1970 to provide leisure and social facilities for an estimated West Swindon population of 50,000. Design was undertaken in-house under chief architect K P Sherry and work began on the site in 1983.
The space-age, multi-axial design incorporating an Ice Rink, Swimming pool and other facilities opened in April 1985, received an estimated 1 million visitors in its first year of operation and "won awards and favourable mentions in architectural circles."[2]
"The complex, designed to provide facilities for more than 20 sports and leisure activities, was described in architectural and sports journals as the most comprehensive development of its kind in Britain. Among the early visitors who came to Swindon specially to see it was Richard Tracey, who was Sports Minister in Margaret Thatcher's government."[2]
The £2million pound Ice Rink was praised on completion but local residents were unhappy that the swimming pool, at only 25 metres long, was not of competition standard.[2]
In 2003, the centre was closed following the finding of the legionella bacteria in the water cooling system.[3] This bacteria, found during a routine test, is the cause of Legionnaires' disease. The Link Centre re-opened following a full sterilisation of the water supply.[4] In 2006 the metal-exterior centre was closed by a major electrical fault caused by an internal flood.[1]
The centre is also home to many public events, including Stephen Hill's funfair. It is the biggest funfair that comes to Swindon, featuring many thrill rides and is very popular with people of all ages. However it has had some complaints from neighbours who are distressed and disturbed by the amount of noise the funfair creates. Also, attacks have been reported there, including an incident with a 13 year old girl being beaten up by a gang, whilst 30 people watched on. But this problem has been addressed and police are now patrolling the site whilst the funfair is in progress. It would have seemed that with the new football pitches being built the funfair wouldn't be able to operate in a correct manner, however the fair can still fit in many big rides including Vertigo, The Waltzers, Tagada & Miami Trip 3 which is Stephen Hill's own. The fair comes to Swindon firstly around March and secondly around September. Each time the fair is presented, new rides and attractions are joined to the roster to keep the public entertained.
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