Fort Regent 'master plan' needed

Politicians have argued that shutting the pool at the site was a mistake

There needs to be a master plan for the future of Jersey's Fort Regent leisure centre, according to the politician with responsibility for the site.

Deputy James Reed is not ruling out working with the private sector to keep the Fort as a sport and leisure centre.

The comments come after a report by a panel of politicians argued shutting the pool at the site was a mistake.

The scrutiny review also recommended the closed swimming pool building should now be knocked down.

Other suggestions included the restoration of the ramparts and improving access to the historic Fort in St Helier.

'Political champion'

Deputy Reed, the minister for education, sport and culture, told BBC Jersey: "There are many ways that you can deliver development and improvements to the site and I wouldn't close off any opportunities at the moment.

"I do not believe that one would just hand it over to a private operator, but I do believe a public-private type partnership in certain areas within the Fort Regent site might be appropriate".

As part of the review, the scrutiny panel nominated Deputy Reed as a "political champion" for Fort Regent.

He said: "The key is the master plan, to engage with the public and first of all the planning department, to identify what can be provided within the Fort area to support what is currently being delivered."

Roy Travert, a long time campaigner for the secure future of the Fort, said: "I don't agree at all that there should be any private sector involvement with Fort Regent.

"It hasn't worked on the waterfront and I don't see that we should be entering the same sort of agreement for Fort Regent.

"It should stay as a sports complex and hopefully we can find some money through The States so that it remains in public ownership."