Providing a new facility within or near St. Clement must be a priority in my view and sites such as Le Rocquier School or the FB Fields could accommodate such a development. As it’s important to utilise sports facilities based in schools my preference would be to add a public sports facility to Le Rocquier School serving islanders east of the tunnel but also a massive benefit to the school itself.


As in previous articles in 20/20, I would also support the creation of a water sports park based at St. Catherines that not only expands our sports tourism offering, but with an extension to the breakwater could offer much needed new yacht and boat berths helping to subsidise the infrastructure. We have a proud history of sporting success both on and in the water and having a safe and partly sheltered environment for water sports would be a great addition at a time when we need to rebuild and


diversify tourism.


So providing public sports options in the east is vital but we must also consider what we do at the established sports centres at Springfield and Les Quennevais. The Les Quennevais building has not been maintained to the level needed and structural issues including the roof need rectifying. The internal layout needs to be adapted to add better class and gym facilities. The pool is also 25 years old next year and needs major refurbishment and there is little in the centre not requiring some attention. It may be cheaper to build a new modern purpose-built centre rather than adapt the old. Much will depend on the appetite of the States to invest in the future health of islanders or just make do with what is already there.


Springfield remains a very busy and important part of the sports


infrastructure and for many in that part of St. Helier, it is a community hub. It also accommodates the island’s main stadium used predominantly for competitive football fixtures on an artificial 3G surface. Depending on what happens to Fort Regent and whether a new stadium is built elsewhere, Springfield could be developed for several different uses. However, the main building requires updating and structural maintenance to extend its life.


Politicians have been trying to resolve the future of Fort Regent for some considerable time. Whatever is decided, I believe the Fort will need to close its doors to allow major refurbishment costing tens of millions of pounds. Where that kind of investment comes from is a discussion for another day but I don’t believe a refurbished Fort Regent should provide the volume of sports activity it does now.


The thought-provoking plans for the Page 46 Beyond 20/20 - Sports


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