The complex includes a large Asda supermarket as well as many smaller shops The centre was commissioned by Thamesdown Borough Council (later renamed Swindon Borough Council) in 1970 to provide leisure and social facilities for an estimated West Swindon population of 50,000.

The modern, multi-axial design incorporating an ice rink, swimming pool and other facilities opened in April 1985, received an estimated 1 million visitors in its first year of operation and "won awards and favourable mentions in architectural circles".

[2] The £2million ice rink was praised on completion but local residents were unhappy that the swimming pool, at only 25 metres long, was not of competition standard.

[2] In 2003, the centre was closed temporarily following the finding of the legionella bacteria in the water cooling system.

[4] In 2006 the metal-exterior centre was closed for a short time after a major electrical fault was caused by an internal flood.