Page 6 - link magazine

6 The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com

Link Centre could last for 150 years
Mansfield Begbie In December Swindon Town supporters group Trust STFC came up
with proposals for redeveloping the county ground and suggested
Associates Ltd the site could accommodate the sports supercentre that Swindon
Council is considering.
The local media
reported that the
Providing mortgage services for the community since 1987
Link and Oasis cen-
tres could be
knocked down and
YOU’LL facilities incorpo-
rated on one site.
Swindon Council
GET A is currently carrying
out a long term re-
view of leisure pro-
WARM vision. At Septem- Link Centre architect Nigel Honor defends his design
ber’s West Swindon
GLOW Forum councillors heat the pool. The ice rink enter-
were criticised for overseeing a
flawed consultation exercise which tainment equipment has also been
WHEN YOU DISCUSS did not engage residents. upgraded, so has the community
The trust plans are unlikely to
suite heating system. In February
go anywhere unless they are able a new sports shop and catering
A NEW MORTGAGE to buy the club, and lease the facilities will open and three flood-
lit outdoor pitches are to be built in
ground from Swindon Council.
Nigel Honor the architect re- the Spring.
WITH US sponsible for designing Link Cen- Swindon Council could lose sight
But he expressed concern that
tre in the early 1980s has expressed
surprise that the council has any of who Link Centre was built for.
The earlier you carry out thoughts of getting rid of a build- “The building was always in-
ing which is only 22 years old. He
tended as a local centre for West
a review, the sooner said, “we designed it with a sixty Swindon residents, with attrac-
year lifespan, but there is no rea-
tions for the rest of the town and
you might save son why the core structure should also the region. It’s a very efficient,
compact package. Nowadays it
not last for over 150.
“All buildings need care and would be incredibly expensive to
We may be able to find you a lower interest rate. maintenance of plant, equipment recreate all the facilities on the same
You may have to pay an early repayment charge and the fabric which has to be up- site or elsewhere.”
graded at different intervals, but At the January West Swindon
to your existing lender if you remortgage.
Link Centre is like a kit. Apart Forum, coun Nick Martin rein-
from the towers in the middle, eve- forced the point made at the Sep-
Whether you’re planning to move to a new house rything can be replaced. The walls tember meeting that the council
or to remortgage your property, don’t support the roof so you can would only consider replacing
with over 19 years experience providing mortgages re-configure and remodel what’s Link Centre if as good or better
underneath relatively easily.” sports and leisure facilities could
in Swindon, Mansfield Begbie Associates
Mr Honor was pleased to learn be provided.
aim to provide an excellent and personal service. that the council had recently in- Last year over 890,000 people
stalled state-of-the-art environ- used Link Centre.
There may be a fee payable at completion for placing mentally friendly heat exchange • New lease of life at Oasis Leisure
your mortgage. The precise amount will depend equipment to cool the ice rink and Centre. See page 29.
on your circumstances but the maximum will be £300. Link Centre staff won the team prize at Swindon Council’s excellence
However, no completion no fee. awards ceremony on 15 January for the way they coped with the unex-
pected shut down last summer after the plant room was flooded. Centre
manager Carol Jamieson said, “some thought we would be closed for six
Mansfield Begbie Associates arranges mortgages with weeks, but we were able to open the pool and dry side in eight days. The
the majority of building societies and banks in the UK staff worked together magnificently to repair the cooling systems and relay
For free mortgage consultation and the ice rink. It’s fantastic that they have been recognised for their efforts.”
further information, call us now. Below, some of the staff at Link Centre. Holding the award Paul Farmer,
Mark Onslow and, rear centre Dave Brandon, who undertook much of the
Your home may be repossessed if you technical work to bring the centre back into action last year
do not keep up repayments on your mortgage
Swindon

772779

e: [email protected]
www.mansfieldbegbie.co.uk

Mansfield Begbie Associates Limited is an appointed representative of
Legal & General Partnership Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the
Financial Services Authority for advising on and arranging mortgages and insurance

1 February 07 6 18/1/07, 12:32 pm