A new multimillion-pound facility called ‘The Rockhouse’ is being developed at Victoria Avenue, designed to function as a ‘Social Sports and Wellness District’.
The site is divided into two primary areas, the ‘Club’ and the ‘Studios’.
The former focuses on social sports, including pickleball, golf and clay pigeon simulators, and augmented darts, whilst the latter is dedicated to wellness, featuring a reformer Pilates studio and an infrared mat sanctuary operated by Guernsey Pilates.
Owners Neil and Faye Lomax have said they want the site to be a destination where people can spend several hours, which they believe will help manage local traffic flow.
“We’re bringing bespoke spaces and state-of-the art experiences to Guernsey,” they said. “Part of our vision for the site is to encourage those who already visit Victoria Avenue to use it as a true ‘District’.
“By creating a destination where friends and families can spend a whole morning, afternoon or evening together, we can better manage traffic flow and reduce the peak-time congestion often associated with single-activity trips.”
The project is built on collaboration with other local businesses and organisations, with a partnership formed with the Guernsey Racquet Club to provide dedicated pickleball facilities, and Anytime Fitness remaining at the location.
Richard Vincent of Guernsey Racquet Club said: “We are incredibly excited to be in partnership with The Rockhouse and be able to offer our members the benefits of being part of one of the first strategic alliances in this space on the island.”
“This facility will not only offer our members an upgrade in terms of their pickleball experience due to it being a purpose-built facility, but also an opportunity of enjoying the extended range of social sports available on a preferential basis.
Meanwhile, Anytime Fitness Director Connor Thorne also welcomed the plans, saying they are “delighted” by the project aimed to “further develop” their “existing location on Victoria Avenue”.
“Being part of a district that offers high-quality sports and social facilities aligns closely with Anytime Fitness’s mission to support healthy habits while fostering a strong, connected community. We look forward to working closely with our new neighbours to create shared benefits for visitors, which may include the potential for a combined membership offering.”
As part of its launch preparation, the Rockhouse has established a fundraising-matching scheme that raised £8,000 for Ace Cheerleaders.
That’ll be used to secure professional-grade stunt mats for their new home at the Guernsey Badminton Club.
Mr Lomax explained: “From the outset, we wanted to support the community groups who had been let down by the forfeiture of the previous master lease at the site.
“It was important to us to step in and find ways to help those affected. Working with these clubs has shown us how much they are valued by their members, and we want The Rockhouse to play a positive role in Guernsey sport well beyond the facility.”
The wellness studio is scheduled to open within the next couple months, while work on ‘The Club’ is expected to be finished by August 2026.