Link Centre
Encyclopedia
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
.
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."
"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."
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.
In 2003, the centre was closed following the finding of the legionella
bacteria in the water cooling system. 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.
In 2006 the metal-exterior centre was closed by a major electrical fault caused by an internal flood.
Swindon
Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. 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
Swindon Wildcats
The Swindon Wildcats are a professional ice hockey team based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. They are member of the English Premier Ice Hockey League . Since their inception, the Wildcats have played their home games at the 2800 capacity Link Centre. The club was founded in 1986, as the Swindon...
, an English Premier Ice Hockey League
English Premier Ice Hockey League
The English Premier Ice Hockey League commonly abbreviated to EPIHL, or simply EPL, is a senior ice hockey league in England, and is run and administered by the English Ice Hockey Association...
team, use the ice rink
Ice rink
An ice rink is a frozen body of water and/or hardened chemicals where people can skate or play winter sports. Besides recreational ice skating, some of its uses include ice hockey, figure skating and curling as well as exhibitions, contests and ice shows...
and facilities for their home games. It also contains the largest climbing wall
Climbing wall
A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with grips for hands and feet, usually used for indoor climbing, but sometimes located outdoors as well. Some are brick or wooden constructions, but on most modern walls, the material most often used is a thick multiplex board with holes drilled...
in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
.
History
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 architectArchitect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
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."
"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."
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.
In 2003, the centre was closed following the finding of the legionella
Legionella
Legionella is a pathogenic Gram negative bacterium, including species that cause legionellosis or Legionnaires' disease, most notably L. pneumophila. It may be readily visualized with a silver stain....
bacteria in the water cooling system. 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.
In 2006 the metal-exterior centre was closed by a major electrical fault caused by an internal flood.
Facilities
- Ice rink
- The international-sized ice pad at the Link Centre is recognised as a "Centre of Excellence" for both figure skating and ice hockey. it is an approved national centre for squad training for the National Ice Skating AssociationNational Ice Skating AssociationThe National Ice Skating Association is a British organisation that is responsible for the development of ice skating careers. It is known as the biggest ice-skating company in the UK...
and British Ice Hockey AssociationBritish Ice Hockey AssociationThe British Ice Hockey Association was founded in 1913 and was the governing body of ice hockey in the United Kingdom during the 1913–14 season and between 1923 and 1999 when it was replaced by Ice Hockey UK....
s, it is also a NISA approved regional test centre.- Health Suite
- Including a purpose-built Sauna, Steam Rooms and Relaxation Area
- 25 m deck level swimming pool
- Gym
- Climbing wall
- 'The Ridge' climbing wall provides over 120 possible climbs up to 9 m high, spread across four different walls.
- Multi-purpose sports hall (eight-court)
- Squash courts
- Snooker hall
- Library
Tenants
- Swindon WildcatsSwindon WildcatsThe Swindon Wildcats are a professional ice hockey team based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. They are member of the English Premier Ice Hockey League . Since their inception, the Wildcats have played their home games at the 2800 capacity Link Centre. The club was founded in 1986, as the Swindon...
- senior men's Ice Hockey team - Swindon Topcats - ladies' ice hockey team
- Swindon Panthers - recreational team
Stephen Hill's Funfair
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.External links
- Official site
- The Ridge Climbing Wall
- The Link Centre - SwindonWeb.com