Page 9 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • July 2008 9
£80 million makeover planned for Link and Oasis centres
An outdoor lagoon and concert arena at the Oasis and a 50 metre competition swimming pool at Link Centre are shown on plans for a major
overhaul of two of Swindon's much used leisure facilities considered by the council's cabinet on 11 June.
To fulfil its Promise cope with demand at peak times. agement cost and improve security.
22, to revitalise sport With seating and catering outlets We're considering a sprung floor for
and leisure facili- it would be a place for families to the sports hall, improvements to
ties in the town, the relax in the summer months. The ice skating spectator facilities and
cabinet reviewed its roof of the existing internal pool, perhaps moving the climbing wall
vision for the refur- revolutionary when built over 30 into the space used by the present
bishment and agreed years ago, will be replaced with one swimming pool.
the outline plans to be equally cutting edge, similar to the "These are the kinds of detail we
taken out to consulta- Eden Project. have to work out with the users and
tion with sports clubs The existing main hall could I'd encourage the swimming clubs
in the town over the make way for a new arena for up and the ice skating fraternity, as well
next few years. to 5,000 people to serve as a concert as other users like the climbers, to
Justin Tomlinson, hall and exhibition venue. It would come to the Swindon Sports Council
cabinet member for be the largest in the area and suit- meetings to discuss how we move
leisure, culture and recreation will was likely to take at least 10 years. able to attract international events forward. It's a very exciting time
form an advisory group of council "Much of the funding will come and artists. for the town."
members and officers to bring from the disposal of council assets. Whilst the Oasis will be the Looking forward to new indoor and
forward the master plan which The state of the commercial market centre for recreation, Link Centre outdoor pools at the Oasis
should be ready by April 2010. He in the short to medium term is not will become the focus for sporting
said that the group will be informed good which means we will have excellence. Under pressure from
by consultation with sporting and to wait until the funding situation swimming clubs in the town, the
recreation interest at Swindon improves." council is exploring how to build
Sports Council. At the Oasis an open air lagoon a competition quality 50 metre
However coun Nick Martin, area with a shallow fun pool, a gal- pool in a separate building next to
cabinet member for finance and leon and water features will help Link Centre. An application for a
resources, said the refurbishment increase capacity which now cannot pre-2012 Olympic Games grant is
being considered.
CounTonilinson said, with swim-
One way would improve safety ming moved to a new facility, the
Abbey Meads Village Centre should be made into a one way traffic internal layout of the building could
zone, say councillors on Blunsdon Parish Council who raised their be reorganised. "We're looking at a
concerns with the owners of the site after several near incidents. single entrance whereby customers
can access sporting facilities and the
library which would reduce man-

Village centre, dangerous for drivers and pedestrians at l n ii times
The majority of drivers instinc- right of way is not clear as vehicles
tively treat the centre as a large coming from the GP surgery and
roundabout and drive anti-clock- pharmacy join the traffic flow.
wise but confusion arises when James Skirrow, of new site own-
cars go against the flow. However, ers CB Richard Evans, agreed that
even though the centre owners were the village centre lends itself to
contacted over a year ago, there has having a one way system. "The is-
been no response. sue for us is the cost. The retailers
The parish council have writ- pay for the upkeep of the car park.
ten again and Swindon councillor We haven't canvassed them, but a
Justin Tomlinson is also calling for report by the council's highways
action, having received a number of department puts the cost at several
complaints from residents. He said, thousand pounds. As a landlord,
"it would be really helpful if they we will do whatever the tenants
painted one way lines on it. Most are happy to pay for."
people turn left but every so often
someone goes right. Residents have • Site for sale. A plot next to the
Blunsdon Arms on Lady Lane is
said that it has caused standoffs and being offered for development. Coun
creates dangerous situations and
near misses." Tomlinson is pressing for proposals
Residents also complain that the acceptable to Ash Brake residents.