Following a four-year programme to upgrade the facilities in the building, the centre was officially opened on Saturday by Lady Sheila Butlin, whose husband, Sir Billy Butlin, had been influential in setting up the centre.
The keys to the centre were handed over to St John Football Club and the St John Youth Project during an event attended by 100 Islanders.
The centre was built in 1980 and the refurbishment programme was started in 2011 after it was decided that the condition of the centre had declined over the years. The project, which involved a large extension, was given a kick-start after a donation of £500,000 by the Butlin family.
Angus Spencer-Nairn, board member of St John Recreation Centre, thanked the Butlin family, adding: ‘What fantastic support the Butlin family have given us over the years. Without them, we wouldn’t have
the best recreation centre in the Island.
‘Some of the best sportsman and women have used these facilities, and in three weeks, we will be hosting several football matches in the NatWest Island Games, which will be fantastic.’
Lady Butlin said: ‘My late husband was so involved with this centre and wanted to help to set this up in the parish.
‘We lived in St John when we moved to Jersey in 1968, and we didn’t know anyone at that time. We had two young children who were asking us for things to do, and that is how this came about. There is nothing in Jersey that can compare with this.’
The project was completed in three phases and has included the installation of a new kitchen, toilets and an office for a youth worker, as well as the changing rooms and youth project extension.
