Power cut shuts Link once more (From Swindon Advertiser)

Power cut shuts Link once more

6:10pm Friday 17th February 2012 in News By Matthew Edwards

FOR the second time this week parents have been left frustrated after the Link Centre was forced to close because of a power failure.

Staff were outside the centre yesterday turning away families and youngsters hoping to use the swimming pool and ice rink on the final day of half-term.

On Tuesday the leisure centre was forced to close its doors following a small electrical fire in the main circuit board on Monday.

Staff worked through the night to instal a one mega-watt generator and the centre reopened on Wednesday.

The closure on Tuesday was expected to cost the council between £6,000 and £9,000, and that is set to increase after the back-up generator failed yesterday.

The council has apologised for any inconvenience caused and is hopeful the centre will reopen this morning.

“They are currently working on permanent fix to the problem,” a spokesman said.

“They had scheduled to carry out the works on Monday but because the generator has packed up and they have the parts they could carry out the work sooner.

“It was expected the work would take eight hours and they started at around 3pm yesterday afternoon so we are hopeful the centre will reopen this morning.

“We are as disappointed as the public are that this has happened but it has meant that a permanent fix has been brought forward and that should stop it happening again.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

There was a figure skating camp taking place at the time of the power failure and people were also said to have been using the swimming pool, gym and the library.

Dad of one, Peter Lawrence, of Middleaze, said: “It is frustrating to turn up and it to be closed but I suppose there isn’t much that can be done.

“But considering it is half-term it is a bad time for it to have happened.”

Mum Joanna Tipping had travelled from Cirencester to take her son skating and was disappointed to be turned away at the door.

She said: “It is annoying because it has wasted our time.

“We have come all the way from Cirencester to find out it is closed.”