Page 13 - link magazine

LINK CENTRE 13

COUNCIL WINS

EFFICIENCY

AWARD
The Link Centre will be three
years old on April 26th. Over the
last three years, the Link has
become firmly established as more
than a local centre (important as
that is) but as a regional facility, private sector. John Staniland of
attracting people from a much Crossfire Leisure, writing in a
wider area than just West recent edition of Leisure Manage-
Swindon. ment; "I find myself in agreement
Already the Link has attracted with Eammon Hacket, Chairman
21/2 million customers. Its wide of Thamesdown's Art and Rec-
mix of leisure, community and reation Committee, who in a
Above: saving money for the rate LOCAL
recreation facilities is as attrac- recent report states that he is
payers.
tive, if not more so, than on the opposed to the principle of com- LANDMARKS
day when it first opened. pulsory tendering .....(italics by FOR NEW
Now, the Link has received a editor.)
fitting third birthday present. A A future edition of Link will Right/Above: Link Centre, land- AIR GUIDANCE
National Award for efficient use look more closely at what would mark from the air. SYSTEM
of Electrical Energy. The Council be involved in compulsory ten- by R. Martin,
came top of nearly 400 Commer- dering. In the meantime, a Happy HEALTHY EATING Civil Aviation Correspondent
cial and Public buildings, to win 3rd Birthday to the Link Centre Concern about air safety over
the Electricity Council's 1987 from the magazine responsible AT LINK CENTRE Britain has led civil servants to
BETA Award, in the over 1,000 for giving it its name. Congratula- Until a few weeks ago the food consider a new national land-
square meter category. tions on the award, West Swindon available at the Link Centre was marks network (NLN) as a means
The judges were particularly looks forward to many more years all fried - burgers, scampi, chips; of guiding aircraft through busy
impressed by the way the heat of successful service to the com- decidedly unhealthy fare for a airlanes.
generated in freezing the ice rink munity. place like the Link. But a lot has The plan is a stop-gap measure
is re-cycled, to be used not only changed recently with the intro- until new air traffic guidance
to help heat the swimming pool, duction of a new range of popular computers come into action in
but also for space heating. In SPACE AGE fast foods which are competetive 1992 and has been agreed upon
cash terms this means saving the OXYGEN TUBES in price and tasty as well. because of the obvious cost
rate-payers in the order of The catering at the Link has savings.
£60,000 a year. FOR LINK been provided ever since the centre It is understood that prominant
In the past two years the by Health Correspondent opened in 1985 by the Thames- buildings or features easily
Council's two major Leisure H. Authbert. down Catering Co-operative. identified from the air will be
Centres have won the National A meeting was held recently to Local co-op co-ordinator Peter included on maps used by pilots
Awards. In 1986/87 the Oasis discuss the addition of new facili- Goldsmith, when reviewing the to guide them to their destina-
was judged the best managed, ties at the Link Centre Health catering set-up, recognised that tions. Three local NLN features
and this year the Link is the most Suite. Representatives of the Link things were not right after talk- have been defined. These are
energy efficient. Centre Management, Thames- ing to a lot of customers last Julie Livesey's sculpture 'The
This is national recognition for down Council's Art's and Recrea- autumn. "A lot of people said, White Horse Pacified', the white
Thamesdown's policy of provid- tion Departments and the Health 'why can't we have something pillars of the Link Centre and the
ing the best possible service in Authority were present. which is not fried'. In response to white walls of PHH Centre on
the most economical and efficient After careful consideration of comments like this we have Windmill Hill. Pilots will be
way. several ideas put forward, it was brought in a number of items to advised to pick a course between
The Borough Council is as decided to add two 'Spacex' the menu which are not. these points on their way to
committed as ever to maintaining Oxygen Tubes to the existing "Firstly, there is a new 100% RAF Lynham. However, in bad
and improving services and is facilities. beef burger served with lettuce weather they would be on their
constantly examining ways of The tubes consist of a bed en- and a sauce. Then we have baked own unless funds can be found to
running things more efficiently. cased in a clear acrylic tube. potatoes which are served with place radio beacons on the land-
The only cloud on the horizon Oxygen is pumped into the tube different toppings. In our 'Bake marks.
is the possibility of the Govern- and the stale air extracted by and Take' range, we have a By coincidence, the proposed
ment intoducing compulsory filters. Therefore the person in variety of pizzas on offer and air lane above White Hill Way
tendering for Leisure Centres. the tube breathes pure oxygen, these are served whole or by the follows an ancient lay-line, or
This is a complicated issue and enabling rejuvination of the red slice. Lastly, there is the taste of path of mystical energy which is
the Goverment hasn't yet for- blood cells and a beneficial effect South America - tachos shells believed to link pre-historic
mally announced its intentions, on the heart and nervous system. filled with chopped salad and religious sites like Stonehenge,
or the details of how it would The decision to install the tubes spicy chips with chilli sauce. Avebury and the white horses
work. was particularly welcomed by "We of course serve teas, cut into the Wiltshire downs.
What this would mean is the local Ecology groups to help coffee and soft drinks for those West Swindon sculptor Julie
Council being forced to compete people combat the effects of who don't want to eat a snack Livesey expressed surprise that
with the private sector for the environmental pollution. when they visit the Link," says her work had been chosen. "This
right to manage Leisure Centres The purchase and setting up of Peter. "We no doubt will con- kind of recognition is quite
and other facilities. In a Borough the tubes is to be jointly financed tinue to sell a lot of chips, but I unexpected, but I'm glad that
like Thamesdown with a national by Thamesdown Council and Life think we are now providing the public sculpture will be examined
reputation for efficiency and Incorporated Insurance. Work is types of food that a much wider from an aerial dimension. I look
effectiveness, this seem an un- due to begin in July, and there range of people will enjoy. I forward to hearing from pilots.
neccessary burden. Indeed this will be a full report in August's hope they will come and try us who fly over the 'White Horse
view is supported by many in the 'Link'. out." Pacified'.