Family members of the ten people who died and those who lost their homes in the Haut du Mont explosion have been helping to shape plans – unveiled today – for a memorial and garden to be built at the site.
The Government has said that the design will be submitted for planning permission “soon”.
If approved, the garden will feature an area where the names of those who died in December 2022 will be captured on seating.
There will also be separate quiet places where people can sit, reflect and look at the view across St Aubin’s Bay.
There’s clearly been a lot of thought given to making sure the design and details have a personal feel, and we’re pleased with that
Karlene McGinness, daughter of Kathy McGinness who died following the explosion
Speaking on behalf of her family, Karlene McGinness – whose mother Kathy died following the explosion – said: “We’re really pleased that the plans for the memorial site are now progressing.
“Our mum’s home always had an incredibly welcoming and warm feel, which was reflective of the loving, happy, and caring person that she was.
“So it’s important to us that the memorial site has personal elements which can reflect the kind of person that she was.”
Among the details suggested by the families and former residents are the inclusion of the favourite flowers of those who died, and a separate play area for young children.
Ms McGinness added: “There’s clearly been a lot of thought given to making sure the design and details have a personal feel, and we’re pleased with that.”
She continued: “We hope that once it’s in place, it’ll be a pleasant space where we can go to reflect, remember our mum, and reminisce with our family and her friends about all the good times.
“Our mum loved nothing more than playing with her grandchildren.
“It will certainly be a place we’ll go with our children to play, talk about all our lovely memories of her, and keep her memory alive.”
I hope the memorial and garden will become a place for all islanders to reflect, remember and heal, whatever they are going through
Architect Barry Freeman
Architect Barry Freeman described the plans as “one of the most heartfelt and important things” he has worked on in his 33-year career.
He added: “Working so closely with those who lost loved ones and those who lost their homes has been a privilege, and we have done our best to incorporate all their requests into the final plans.
“I hope the memorial and garden will become a place for all islanders to reflect, remember and heal, whatever they are going through.
“I also hope it will stand as something that will help future generations to learn lessons that may avoid other tragedies.”
Residents Peter Bowler (72), Raymie Brown (71), Romeu and Louise De Almeida (67 and 64 years), Derek and Sylvia Ellis (61 and 73 years), Ken and Jane Ralph (72 and 71 years) and 62-year-old Billy Marsden died in the blast at Pier Road in December 2022.
Kathy McGinness (73), who lived in an adjacent block at Haut de Mont, was injured as a result of the explosion and died at the General Hospital on Christmas Day that year.
The Government owns the land on which the memorial and garden is being built, while the rest of the Haut du Mont site is owned by Andium Homes which is currently refurbishing the remaining properties.