Fort Regent revamp is years away, minister says

A skate park and children's play area would be included in the Fort Regent redevelopment, said Infrastructure Minister Constable Andy Jehan

The redevelopment of Fort Regent is set to take place - but not in the next few years, a minister has said.

Infrastructure Minister Constable Andy Jehan told the States' Environment, Housing, and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel that "exciting" plans for the leisure centre in St Helier, Jersey, would be announced soon.

He said the plans would include a skate park, children’s play area, youth and other leisure facilities and would require in excess of £80m worth of investment.

But Mr Jehan said he believed it would take three to four years to complete the work.

'No casino or hotel'

The States has closed parts of the site - including the gym - and asked sports clubs to move out by September 2023 ahead of a potential redevelopment.

During the meeting, Mr Jehan said he hoped to have plans and funding sorted for the project during the current government's term of office, but he could not commit to delivering it before the 2026 General Election.

He added a hotel and casino, which were previously mentioned as part of a possible redevelopment, are not set to feature in the plans.

Infrastructure Minister Constable Andy Jehan said in excess of £80m could be needed for Fort Regent's redevelopment

Mr Jehan told the panel his biggest concern around the Fort Regent redevelopment was on the costs that would be needed to run the site.

He said some "creative solutions" were being discussed around the running costs, but this might then impact on funding in other areas.

"We're quite good at finding capital to build new shiny things," Mr Jehan said.

"Where we've struggled in the past is to maintain these assets of ours."

'Significant funding gaps'

Mr Jehan was also asked by the panel about funding for other infrastructure schemes for the island.

The minister highlighted significant gaps in budgets for some these.

He said he would be bidding for an extra £10m a year to be included in the next Government Plan for Jersey's sewers and drainage network to be updated to enable new homes to be built.

There is also a shortfall of £2m to maintain the island's roads, Mr Jehan added.

Deputy Hilary Jeune, the panel's chair, said: "Whilst Constable Jehan has indicated there is an acknowledged need among fellow minister's for investment in infrastructure, there are going to be tough conversations to agree to significant extra funding."