Deputy Susie Pinel, who also said she was in favour of a casino in St Helier, was speaking as part of the government’s new ‘Ask the Ministers’ initiative, which offered Islanders a chance to tune in via social media and pose questions.
As part of the steering group responsible for considering the future of the site, Deputy Pinel said the decision to move sports facilities away from the Fort by the first quarter of 2022 would provide the opportunity to push on with redevelopment.
‘The future plans are looking at a lot of open space, a botanic garden, with approaches from Snow Hill and Pier Road by lift or cable car, or both,’ she said. ‘It would be built around a conference and cultural centre with a big hall, probably a hotel, and a casino has been mentioned.’
The minister said she would like to see a casino, either at Fort or the Waterfront, as well as a ‘national gallery’ for the Island, and said she believed the Fort Regent project was likely to involve a partnership between the government and the private sector.
Chief Minister John Le Fondré said proposals for Fort Regent would be unveiled in three to four weeks’ time.
