Frequently Asked Questions
The ice rink at Swindon’s Link Leisure Centre closed on 15th May 2023 for a 16 week period, to allow a series of plant improvement and energy efficiency works, costing over £300,000, to take place.
When did the Link ice rink close?
The ice rink at Swindon Link leisure centre closed on 15th May for 16 weeks.
When will the Link ice rink re-open?
We plan to reopen the ice rink at Swindon Link leisure centre on 4th September.
Will any other facilities be affected at the Link leisure centre?
No other facilities or services will be affected.
Why has the Link ice rink closed?
The ice rink temporarily closed to allow us to undertake crucial energy efficiency works and plant improvements. In total we will be investing £300,000. The works will see the ice pad lifted, old and inefficient plant replaced and a new state-of-the-art drying cooling system installed.
Why are we doing the works now?
We’ve chosen to undertake the works now because the summer months are the quietest period and when we see lowest usage of the ice rink. This will ensure the impact on our customers is kept to a minimum.
Why such short notice?
We gave our customers six weeks’ notice of the closure and we feel this was sufficient. We had to ensure the funding was in place before announcing the closure and wanted to undertake the energy efficiency works during the summer when the ice rink is relatively quiet.
Is the Link ice rink closing permanently?
No. This is a temporary closure to allow us to undertake energy efficiency works. The ice rink will reopen at the beginning of September.
Where can I go and skate locally while the Link is closed?
The nearest ice rinks to the Link are:
- Oxford Ice Rink – 31 miles (from the Link)
- Planet Ice Bristol – 39 miles
- Planet Ice Basingstoke – 42 miles
I am a Health and Fitness Plus Ice member and pay be direct debit, what will happen to my payments?
Your direct debit amount has been reduced to the Standard Partnership price during the closure. This means that you can continue to use all of our gym, swimming pool and fitness facilities without the extra price of our ice rink services.
If you would like to freeze your membership, while the ice rink is closed, you can do so the Better UK app:
- Tap the 'Buy & manage membership' button if on the Better UK app
- Ensure you are logged in and select 'Account'
- Select 'Memberships' from the drop down options
- Scroll down the page and select the 'Manage membership' button
- Select 'Submit a freeze request' and follow the instructions to request a membership freeze.
I am an Ice Patch member and pay be direct debit, what will happen to my payments?
Your direct debit payments have been frozen for the period of closure and you will only pay a ‘pro rata’ amount for days in May during when the ice rink was open.
I am/my child is on an ice course and I pay by direct debit, what will happen to my payments?
Your direct debit payments have been frozen for the period of closure and you will only pay a ‘pro rata’ amount for days in May during when the ice rink was open.
I am on an Ice course/an Ice Patch member and I don’t want my direct debits frozen, I want to cancel.
If you want to cancel your membership you can do this via the Better UK app.
- Tap the 'Buy & manage membership' button on the Better UK app
- Ensure you are logged in and select 'Account'
- Select 'Memberships' from the drop down options
- Scroll down the page and select the 'Manage membership' button
- Select 'Cancel membership' and follow the instructions on screen
My child is part of an ice skating club that trains at the leisure centre, where will they now go to train? What are you doing to help?
We have briefed all the clubs that use the ice rink and explained why these environmental improvement works are essential and will help secure the long-term future of the rink. Please speak to your club coach about their plans for the next 16 weeks.