Deputy seeks more details on Opera House upgrades

The interior of the Opera House has been fully refurbished

The government has requested more information regarding additional technical upgrades needed for Jersey Opera House.

The facility said it needed an additional £1.5m to complete the works so it could officially open and operate in September.

During a States sitting on Tuesday, scrutiny chair Deputy Montfort Tadier criticised the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development Deputy Kirsten Morel for not addressing the need for technological upgrades.

Tadier said the issues were flagged 18 months ago and further finances "should have been budgeted for earlier on".

He said: "It's something that we as a scrutiny panel put to the department back in March and also again in July and I think that's something that others have been putting to the minister and the department before that."

Tadier said the government needed to "finish this project properly".

"It can be and it should be a success story for Jersey", he said.

Deputy Kirsten Morel said it was not the government's responsibility to pay for technical upgrades

Deputy Kirsten Morel said it was "impossible to deploy millions of pounds of public money" without knowing exactly what was needed.

He said: "We've only had one quote from one company - that's it.

"What we've asked the Opera House for, for quite a while now, is to provide us with differing quotes, different estimates and also a proper audit for the technology that is needed."

Morel said the infrastructure department had delivered the building on time and on budget, and the inside technical theatrical workings were not part of their remit.

He called the work that had already been done "a fantastic achievement".

Andy Eagle said the Opera House were grateful for public donations

Interim director of Jersey Opera House Andy Eagle said it had received "plenty of donations" from the public towards the technical upgrades.

He said: "They want it to open as it means to go on, with proper functioning potential to put on really exciting shows for the island.

"It's been closed for over five years, we need to get over the line and make it fit for purpose in the stage area."

Mr Eagle said the theatre needed the technical equipment, including a prompt desk which connects to all the dressing rooms and technical areas.

"There's one show we would love to bring over which we know audiences would really appreciate and enjoy - and I can tell you it's got close to 2,000 cues in a show, so that's how complicated these shows can be," he said.