Sports clubs to leave Fort Regent by end of year

Jehan said all sports clubs needed to leave Fort Regent by the end of the year

Sporting groups will have to leave their base in Jersey by the end of the year, a minister has said.

Infrastructure Minister Constable Andy Jehan said Fort Regent, which was the island's main sports centre for decades, would be mothballed at the end of December.

The Government of Jersey decided to close it due to increased running costs and concerns over asbestos.

Jehan said the sports facility would cost nearly £600,000 to run and up to £140,000 to maintain this year.

Roy MacDonald said it was "quite sad" the karate club had to leave Fort Regent

Roy MacDonald, chief instructor of the Jersey Kenpo Karate Association, said the group had been at Fort Regent for 42 years.

He said it was "quite sad" the group had to leave the centre but members were looking forward to moving to the Oakfields Stadium - although the facility poses challenges for the group.

"It looks like there are two martial arts areas with mats [at Oakfields Stadium], which sounds wonderful, but it's not quite the same as what we have at Fort Regent," he said.

Jehan said Fort Regent could not be reopened without "considerable" work on the electrical and water systems, as well as removing "hazardous materials".

Provision has been made for La Petite Ecole nursery to remain operational at Fort Regent, he said.