A GROUP seeking to safeguard the future of the historic Havre des Pas bathing pool have met the Infrastructure Minister and officials in a bid to find a way forward for the site.
Discussions were taking place yesterday afternoon, with a key figure in turning around a similar facility in Guernsey among those involved.
The chairman of the Vive La Vallette organisation in Guernsey, David Warr, was invited by his Jersey namesake, Deputy David Warr, to share his experience in setting up a public/private partnership to turn what was previously run-down bathing pools into a popular community asset.
The two men and other members of the Lido Steering Group headed to Broad Street to meet Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan,
The Lido’s future has been in doubt in recent years after the site was described as a “liability” by Mr Jehan and officials from Jersey Property Holdings moved to terminate the tenancy of BeServed group, the business running the restaurants and events space at the tidal pool. Mr Warr (Guernsey) said: “There’s the same opportunity for Jersey as we faced in 2018, with a site that had been identified by the States of Guernsey as needing some ‘TLC’, with some of the funding and expertise coming from outside government.
“La Vallette has become a true community asset for Guernsey, where everyone – young and old, rich and poor – rubs shoulders.”
He added: “This could be a really positive step for Jersey – governments are typically risk-averse and would want to have an agreement that gave a fall-back position if things didn’t work out, but once that was in place why would you not pursue this?”
Deputy Warr said the intention was to outline a plan to the government which would help avoid a situation where the site became neglected and had to be closed, citing Fort Regent, La Folie Inn, St Saviour’s Hospital and the West Park Pool as other examples of this.
“It is concerning that the proposed Budget includes a £2.1 million reduction in annual spending by the Infrastructure Department on sites such as the Lido – the steering group doesn’t think that’s right, and I don’t believe the people of Jersey do either,” he said.
A number of people and organisations representing sports, arts and the finance sector had come forward and shown a willingness to be involved in future plans for the Lido, Deputy Warr added.
