Efforts to safely future-proof the diving platform at the Ladies’ bathing pool are progressing, but work took place this morning to ensure it can’t be used in the meantime.
By midday the last remaining diving board at La Vallette was officially ‘closed’ with access denied to anyone wanting to use it.
A chain which had been up there prior to the prohibition notice being served on the States has been replaced with more hardy measures to ensure no one can jump off it before a decision is made about whether it stays or goes for good.
The States had been told that the diving platform was no longer safe to use after a Health and Safety Inspection found numerous issues with it.
Hundreds of people turned out for a hastily organised protest to prevent its removal earlier this month, with a stay of execution agreed pending longer term work to ensure the diving board is made safe for use.
Since then, there’s been talks and collaboration between the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure, a community working group, and members of the public volunteering their time.
The Committee is now preparing a funding proposal to ask for tax payers money to spend on saving the diving board, while some community members have volunteered to contribute to certain parts of the project to reduce costs and expedite the work.
Plans include deepening the pool and improving water retention, along with further work including debris removal and repairs to storm damage, which is ongoing.
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, the President of the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure and member of the working group, said she’s hopeful it can be saved.
“We’re pleased with the positive discussions we’ve had so far and grateful for the high-quality input from the various members of the group. There is still more work to do before we can propose the next steps, but we feel positive progress is being made.
“We also appreciate the very generous offers of practical help from members of the community, which help to make this potential solution more achievable and affordable. This kind of collective effort shows Guernsey at its best.
“We are in the process of preparing a funding proposal to P&R: if that is successful, as well as helping to hopefully secure the future of the diving platform, the Ladies’ Pool can be brought up to an even better standard. I’m a keen swimmer myself, but I know I’m not alone in thinking our Victorian bathing pools are a wonderful asset for the island. Our previous attempts to secure the budget to really do them justice were unsuccessful, but I’m hopeful that the recent demonstration of public affection for them will lend weight and meaning to this bid.”
The working group consists of four regular pool users, including Guernsey’s Sea Donkey, Adrian Sarchet.
The group’s purpose is to explore ways to ensure a safer depth around the diving platform.
“While we undertake this work to explore options to safely retain the diving platform in the future, I would ask members of the public to comply with the signage not to use the diving platform, as this is a key factor in facilitating a positive outcome,” said Mr Sarchet.
In order to comply with the prohibition notice enforced on the platform, States Works installed the newer “more robust” barriers this morning.
These newly installed barriers are supposedly better able to withstand the weather and tides.
Repairs will also be made to part of the platform following storm damage.
You can read more about the campaign to save the diving board HERE, and the protests HERE.
Questions were asked about the matter in the States chamber, HERE.
There’s more on the outcome of the political debate on the future of the diving board HERE.