Link Centre: Difference between revisions

Link Centre
'Link' or 'The Link'
	The Link Centre Logo
	Entrance to the Link Centre, northeast side
Full name	The Link Centre
Location	Swindon, Wiltshire, England
Coordinates	51°33′32″N 1°49′51″W / 51.5588°N 1.8309°W
Owner	Swindon Borough Council
Operator	Greenwich Leisure
Field size	56x26m (rink), 25m (pool)
Construction
Broke ground	1983
Built	1984
Renovated	2012
Construction cost	£9,500,000 (approx.)
Architect	K P Sherry
Tenants
	Swindon Wildcats (Ice Hockey) Swindon Dolphins (Swimming)
Website
	www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/swindon/the-link-centre

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The Link Centre is a leisure centre in Swindon, England. The building, owned by Swindon Borough Council and operated by Greenwich Leisure under the brand "Better", is best known for its national-sized ice rink which houses a National Ice Hockey League team, the Swindon Wildcats.^[1]

Location

The building is part of the West Swindon district centre, in Westlea, about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Swindon town centre. The complex includes a large Asda supermarket as well as many smaller shops

History

The centre was 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 modern, 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.^[2]

The £2million 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 temporarily 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 centre re-opened following a full sterilisation of the water supply.^[4] In 2006 the metal-exterior centre was closed for a short time after a major electrical fault was caused by an internal flood.^[1]

Facilities

Ice rink

The international-sized (56mx26m) ice pad is recognised as a "centre of excellence" for both figure skating and ice hockey. It is an approved national centre for squad training for British Ice Skating and Ice Hockey UK, and a NISA approved regional test centre.^[5]

25m deck-level heated swimming pool
Gym with over 100 stations and Astroturf area
Dedicated spin studio
Two fitness class studios
1,100 square metre trampoline park (Better Extreme)
Squash courts
Library

Ice hockey teams

A number of ice hockey teams play at the Link Centre, including:

References

^ ^a ^b "Flood closes town leisure centre". BBC News. 7 July 2006. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Shaping up to controversy". Swindon Advertiser. 11 September 2001. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
^ "Legionella bacteria found in Swindon". BBC News. 4 December 2003. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
^ "Centre reopens after bug find". BBC News. 5 December 2003. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
^ "Ice Rink". Leisure and Sport. Swindon Borough Council. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2007.

External links

Official website
The Link Centre at SwindonWeb.com

[flood-1] "Flood closes town leisure centre". BBC News. 7 July 2006. Retrieved 15 May 2007.

[shaping_up-2] "Shaping up to controversy". Swindon Advertiser. 11 September 2001. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2007.

[bacteria_found-3] "Legionella bacteria found in Swindon". BBC News. 4 December 2003. Retrieved 15 May 2007.

[bacteria_killed-4] "Centre reopens after bug find". BBC News. 5 December 2003. Retrieved 15 May 2007.

[ice_rink-5] "Ice Rink". Leisure and Sport. Swindon Borough Council. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2007.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Leisure centre in Swindon, England}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
+{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
-{{Infobox stadium
+{{Infobox venue
 | name                = Link Centre
 | nickname            = 'Link' or 'The Link'
 | logo_image          = Link Centre Swindon Logo.jpg
-| logo_caption        =
+| logo_caption        = The Link Centre Logo
 | image               = The Link Centre, West Swindon - geograph.org.uk - 514756.jpg
 | caption             = Entrance to the Link Centre, northeast side
@@ Line 10: / Line 12: @@
 | former_names        =
 | location            = [[Swindon]], [[Wiltshire]], [[England]]
-| coordinates         = {{coord|51.5588|N|1.8309|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}
+| coordinates         = {{coord|51.5588|N|1.8309|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
 | broke_ground        = 1983
 | built               = 1984
-| opened              = <!-- {{Start date|1984|MM|DD}} -->
+| opened              = <!--1984-->
 | renovated           = 2012
 | expanded            =
-| closed              =
+| closed              = <!--2023-->
 | demolished          =
 | owner               = [[Swindon Borough Council]]
@@ Line 32: / Line 34: @@
 | suites              =
 | record_attendance   =
-| dimensions          =
+| dimensions          = 56x26m (rink), 25m (pool)
 | acreage             =
 | volume              =
@@ Line 40: / Line 42: @@
 }}
-The '''Link Centre''' is a [[leisure centre]] in [[Swindon]], England. The building, owned by [[Swindon Borough Council]] and operated by [[Greenwich Leisure Limited|Greenwich Leisure]] under the brand "Better", is best known for its national-sized ice rink which houses an [[English Premier Ice Hockey League]] team, the [[Swindon Wildcats]].<ref name="flood">{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/5159636.stm|title=Flood closes town leisure centre|accessdate=2007-05-15|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=2006-07-07}}</ref>
+The '''Link Centre''' is a [[leisure centre]] in [[Swindon]], England. The building, owned by [[Swindon Borough Council]] and operated by [[Greenwich Leisure Limited|Greenwich Leisure]] under the brand "Better", is best known for its national-sized ice rink which houses a [[National Ice Hockey League]] team, the [[Swindon Wildcats]].<ref name="flood">{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/5159636.stm|title=Flood closes town leisure centre|accessdate=2007-05-15|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=2006-07-07}}</ref>
 ==Location==
-The building is part of the West Swindon district centre, in Westlea, about {{convert|2|mi|km}} west of Swindon town centre. The complex includes a large [[Asda]] supermarket.
+The building is part of the [[West Swindon]] district centre, in Westlea, about {{convert|2|mi|km}} west of Swindon town centre. The complex includes a large [[Asda]] supermarket as well as many smaller shops
 ==History==
-The centre was first commissioned by Thamesdown Borough Council (later renamed [[Borough of Swindon|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 centre was commissioned by Thamesdown Borough Council (later renamed [[Borough of Swindon|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."<ref name="shaping up">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/2001/9/11/209459.html |title=Shaping up to controversy |accessdate=2007-05-15 |publisher=[[Swindon Advertiser]] |date=2001-09-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927012348/http://archive.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/2001/9/11/209459.html |archivedate=2007-09-27 }}</ref>
+The modern, 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".<ref name="shaping up">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/2001/9/11/209459.html |title=Shaping up to controversy |accessdate=2007-05-15 |publisher=[[Swindon Advertiser]] |date=2001-09-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927012348/http://archive.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/2001/9/11/209459.html |archivedate=2007-09-27 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="shaping up" />
-"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."<ref name="shaping up"/>
 The £2million 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.<ref name="shaping up"/>
-In 2003, the centre was closed following the finding of the [[legionella]] bacteria in the water cooling system.<ref name="bacteria found">{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/3292715.stm|title=Legionella bacteria found in Swindon|accessdate=2007-05-15|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=2003-12-04}}</ref> 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.<ref name="bacteria killed">{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/3295683.stm|title=Centre reopens after bug find|accessdate=2007-05-15|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=2003-12-05}}</ref> In 2007 the metal-exterior centre was closed by a major electrical fault caused by an internal flood.<ref name="flood"/>
+In 2003, the centre was closed temporarily following the finding of the [[legionella]] bacteria in the water cooling system.<ref name="bacteria found">{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/3292715.stm|title=Legionella bacteria found in Swindon|accessdate=2007-05-15|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=2003-12-04}}</ref> This bacteria, found during a routine test, is the cause of [[Legionnaires' disease]]. The centre re-opened following a full sterilisation of the water supply.<ref name="bacteria killed">{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/3295683.stm|title=Centre reopens after bug find|accessdate=2007-05-15|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=2003-12-05}}</ref> In 2006 the metal-exterior centre was closed for a short time after a major electrical fault was caused by an internal flood.<ref name="flood"/>
 ==Facilities==
 * Ice rink
-:The international-sized ice pad 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 Association]] and [[British Ice Hockey Association]]s, and a NISA approved regional test centre.<ref name="ice rink">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindononline.co.uk/leisuresport/link/iceskating.htm |title=Ice Rink |accessdate=2007-05-15 |publisher=Swindon Borough Council |work=Leisure and Sport |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928062304/http://www.swindononline.co.uk/leisuresport/link/iceskating.htm |archivedate=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
+:The international-sized (56mx26m) ice pad is recognised as a "centre of excellence" for both figure skating and ice hockey. It is an approved national centre for squad training for [[British Ice Skating]] and [[Ice Hockey UK]], and a NISA approved regional test centre.<ref name="ice rink">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindononline.co.uk/leisuresport/link/iceskating.htm |title=Ice Rink |accessdate=2007-05-15 |publisher=Swindon Borough Council |work=Leisure and Sport |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928062304/http://www.swindononline.co.uk/leisuresport/link/iceskating.htm |archivedate=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-* 25m deck level swimming pool
+* 25m deck-level heated swimming pool
 * Gym with over 100 stations and Astroturf area
 * Dedicated spin studio
-* 2 fitness class studios
+* Two fitness class studios
-* 1,100 square metre trampoline park
+* 1,100 square metre trampoline park (Better Extreme)
 * Squash courts
 * Library
+==Ice hockey teams==
+A number of ice hockey teams play at the Link Centre, including:
+* [[Swindon Wildcats]]
+* [[Swindon Wildcats 2]]
+* [[Swindon Wildcats Rec]]
+* [[Swindon Top Cats]]
+* [[Swindon Avalanche]]
 ==References==
-{{Reflist|30em}}
+{{Reflist}}
 ==External links==
@@ Line 74: / Line 84: @@
 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927193100/http://www.swindonweb.com/guid/linkcentre.htm The Link Centre] at SwindonWeb.com
-{{Venues of the epihl}}
+{{Venues of the NIHL}}
+{{UK Ice Rinks}}
 [[Category:Buildings and structures in Swindon]]
 [[Category:Sports venues in Swindon]]
-[[Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in England]]
+[[Category:Ice hockey venues in England]]
+[[Category:Ice rinks in the United Kingdom]]

v t e Ice Rinks in the United Kingdom
South West England	Link Centre (Swindon) Planet Ice Bristol
South East England	Guildford Spectrum Oxford Ice Rink Ozone Ice Rink (Bracknell) Planet Ice Hemel Hempstead Planet Ice Arena Milton Keynes Planet Ice Silverdome Arena (Basingstoke) Planet Ice Gosport Slough Ice Arena
London	Alexandra Palace Lee Valley Ice Centre Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre Sobell Leisure Centre Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre Queens Ice and Bowl
East of England	Cambridge Ice Arena Riverside Leisure Centre (Chelmsford) Planet Ice Peterborough
West Midlands	Planet Ice Cannock Planet Ice Solihull Planet Ice Uttoxeter SkyDome Arena (Coventry) Telford Ice Rink
East Midlands	Lammas Leisure Centre (Sutton-in-Ashfield) National Ice Centre (Nottingham)
North West England	Altrincham Ice Dome (Manchester) Blackburn Arena Planet Ice Widnes Pleasure Beach Arena (Blackpool)
North East England	Billingham Forum Bradford Ice Arena IceSheffield Sheffield Arena Hull Arena Planet Ice Leeds Whitley Bay Ice Rink (Newcastle)
Northern Ireland	Dundonald International Ice Bowl SSE Arena Belfast
Wales	Ice Arena Wales (Cardiff) Deeside Leisure Centre
Scotland	Auchenharvie Leisure Centre (Saltcoats) Ayr Ice Rink Braehead Arena (Glasgow) Dumfries Ice Bowl Dundee Ice Arena East Kilbride Ice Rink Fife Ice Arena (Kirkcaldy) Galleon Centre (Kilmarnock) Hamilton Ice Rink Inverness Ice Centre Linx Ice Arena (Aberdeen) Moray Leisure Centre (Elgin) Murrayfield Ice Rink (Edinburgh) The Peak (Stirling) The Time Capsule (Coatbridge)