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 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."
"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.
Read more about this topic: Link Centre
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