THE ice rink at the Link Centre is now shut for 11 weeks to enable work to replace the ageing plant and ice pad.

Swindon Council’s Cabinet made a decision in December to proceed with the project, which is estimated to cost £768,000, plus a further £60,000 in lost income relating to the ice rink and catering at the rink site.

This comes after a feasibility study by contractor Capita Symonds, which found that if the work was not undertaken, there was significant risk the rink could become unusable at short notice and there would also be health and safety risks, mainly the risk of refrigerant leakage.

Coun Keith Williams, the cabinet member for highways, strategic transport and leisure, said work was needed as the plant was becoming old, with the edge of the ice melting slightly on warm days.

The work was originally planned to take place last summer but was postponed due to major repairs to the pool and to the roof.

The closure came into force on Sunday evening and runs until August 19.

The nearest ice skating rinks in the meantime are at Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bracknell and Cardiff.