The Government is due to launch a public consultation on the future of Fort Regent next month – with the aim of reopening the new facility at the end of 2028.
A “new, exciting vision” for the future of Fort Regent will be launched alongside a public consultation that will start on 2 April, the Government said.
In a statement announcing the consultation, the Government said: “Fort Regent needs to close at the end of the year for significant essential maintenance and upgrades that cannot be carried out while the public have access to the building.
“The infrastructure of the 1970s complex, including power, lighting and water, is out of date and many issues need to be addressed, including the presence of asbestos.
“It is not possible to keep the building open while these improvements and repairs to the roof are undertaken.”
A new soft-play facility is due to open at the Waterfront this summer to ensure families still have access to a high-quality play area while the Fort is being redeveloped, the Government added.
Speaking during question time in the States Assembly yesterday, Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan explained that the public consultation would present “potential concepts and future uses” for the site.
Scrutiny will be briefed next Friday, States Members will receive a presentation the following week, and public meetings will take place in April.
Constable Jehan said: “The Government will be launching a new and we believe exciting vision for the redevelopment of Fort Regent together with a public consultation.”
The Minister confirmed that “there will be an element of sport at the Fort” and that he expected to see “new sports at the fort that we haven’t seen on the island before”.
Deputy Jonathan Renouf questioned why the Government had not sought public input before developing the proposals that will soon be put out for consultation.
Constable Jehan responded that years of work and significant spending had already gone into Fort Regent, meaning the Government was not “starting from a blank sheet of paper.”
He added that the priority was to move forward quickly while still allowing the public to give feedback on the plans.
Concerns about accessibility were raised by Deputy Monty Tadier, who asked whether a lift from Snow Hill and an adjoining bridge – previously suggested in 2022 – would be reconsidered.
Responding, Constable Jehan said: “The Fort was originally designed to keep people out and so we need to find ways of getting people in.
“So access considerations will certainly form part of the consultation.”
Speaking about relocation of existing facilities, the Infrastructure Minister confirmed that gymnastics clubs currently based the Fort would move to a new dedicated £8.4m facility at Oakfield later this year.
Asked whether the future redevelopment of Fort Regent would remain free to the public, Constable Jehan said that access to the gardens would continue to be free, but certain facilities would require payment, as has historically been the case.
The action plan
The following steps will be taken to ensure the first phase of the project can happen:
- Support existing users to relocate
All public sports services will be moved out of the outdated facilities and into modern, purpose-built sports venues or existing facilities across the island.
Many clubs have already relocated over the past three years.
La Petite Ecole nursery will continue operating at Fort Regent until new facilities are found for them.
- Relocate soft play facilities
To ensure families still have access to a high-quality play area while the Fort is being redeveloped, a brand-new accessible soft play facility will be opening at the Waterfront this summer.
- Make the facilities safe and address existing risks
The basic infrastructure of Fort Regent is outdated, including the power supply, lighting and water systems.
The building also contains asbestos so Fort Regent will have to close to protect the public while work takes place to safely regenerate the site.
- Consult the public
On 2 April this year the States of Jersey Development Company will start a public consultation on the new vision for the Fort on behalf of the Government and will gather feedback from islanders.
This process will be similar to the recent Waterfront consultation and will enable the public to give their views on the new proposals.
At the same time, plans are being prepared for the restoration of the iconic roof structure.
- Deliver a regenerated Fort Regent
Once the Fort is fully vacated, work will start on the main structure, focusing on removing the asbestos, with works beginning in January.
Once a detailed design is agreed, a completely regenerated Fort Regent will reopen at the end of 2028.
