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The Infrastructure Minister has revealed plans for a £50,000 refurbishment of the Havre des Pas Lido to improve public safety – just weeks after referring to the facility as a "liability”.
Responding to an oral question from Deputy David Warr in the States Assembly this week, Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan outlined the planned improvements.
These include upgrading the fire detection and warning system, updating safety signage, installing additional emergency lighting, and replacing the kitchen fire suppression system.
He said: "Our focus is on statutory requirements in the first place."
Pictured: Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan outlined the planned improvements in this week's States Assembly.
The Infrastructure Minister also said there was an ongoing feasibility study to assess remedial works for the cracking northern staircase tower and a full external redecoration – which is estimated to cost £350,000.
Deputy Warr pressed the Minister to explain how the wider social and economic benefits of the Lido to the island are measured.
"The Lido was just one of the island's assets," replied Constable Jehan. "The balance that we have in maintaining those assets is clearly a difficult one."
It comes amid an ongoing debate about the Lido's future.
Over the past few years, concerns have been raised about maintenance issues such as seaweed covering the site, the seasonal closure of toilets in winter, and a leaking roof in the private event space.
In 2022, Constable Simon Crowcroft set up a ‘steering group’ of politicians, residents, the current operator of the venue and other interested parties to “maximise the benefit of the lido to the community and to resolve any issues arising in future”.
And in April 2023, an external mediator was brought in to aid discussions about its future – with then-Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet saying that he was optimistic about relationships between those negotiating the future of the Lido being repaired.
However, earlier this month, Connetable Jehan described the facility as a "liability," saying he would be "delighted" for an organisation like Jersey Heritage to take it "off [his] hands".
Pictured: Mr Calvani is co-CEO of the Jersey Hospitality Association and currently operates the Havre Des Pas Lido event space.
Marcus Calvani, who runs 'The Lido' event space, strongly criticised Constable Jehan's comments – describing Havre Des Pas as "an asset, not a liability".
"It's an absolute disgrace," he said at the time.
"This site should be loved, invested in, maintained, and showcased by our Government.
"The private sector has had an unpleasant battle to get the public sector to have the same pride and attention to the public pier, toilets, and pool."
As the pool's leaseholder from the Government, Mr Calvani raised concerns about Connetable Jehan's apparent lack of interest in the site.
"I am beyond words with this ongoing and endless fight that we are having to save this site," he said.
"It was seen as an iconic swimming retreat in the 1960s.
"It's a centre for wellness and sea swimming...a significant contributor to the visitor economy."
He added: "I have no doubt to say that we have the best sea lido on the planet."
Mr Calvani suggested that Jersey should consider adopting Guernsey's approach to operating its bathing pool.
He pointed to the La Vallette bathing pools in Guernsey where a charitable trust is responsible for renovating the facilities, while the States maintain control of the bathing pool through a public-private partnership.
Pictured: Guernsey charity Vive La Vallette was set up in 2019 to redevelop the facilities.
Mr Calvani proposed a similar "community-run management project" in Jersey, with a percentage of turnover ring-fenced for maintenance.
"There should be a separation between the public and private areas," he said.
"We need to balance the community and commercial side. But it is a building we love, so we won't give up.
"We will continue and we will find a better solution for the Lido. Something's got to change."
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