A REVAMPED Fort Regent could reopen by the end of 2028 following redevelopment, the Infrastructure Minister has said.
Constable Andy Jehan told politicians yesterday that a public consultation was due to be launched by the government next month on the future of the site.
The Fort will close at the end of the year to allow for maintenance work, including the replacement of outdated power, lighting, and water systems and the removal of asbestos.
Speaking during question time in the States Assembly, Mr Jehan said the consultation would outline “potential concepts and future uses” for Fort Regent.
The process is to be led by the States of Jersey Development Company and will build on previous proposals while gathering feedback from Islanders.
Scrutiny will be briefed on the plans next Friday, he said, and Members are due to receive a presentation the following week, with public meetings taking place next month after the launch of the consultation on 2 April.
Mr 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.”
He added that the scale of the work required, due to begin later in 2025, meant the site could not remain open while improvements were carried out.
As part of the redevelopment, existing facilities will be relocated, he said, with sports services moving to purpose-built venues, with many clubs already having transitioned over the past three years.
The gymnastics clubs currently based at the Fort are to relocate to the new £8.4 million dedicated facility at Oakfield Sports Centre, due to open later this year.
La Petite École nursery will remain at the Fort until an alternative site is found.
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 in the Island before”.
A new indoor soft-play facility will open at the Waterfront this summer, Mr Jehan said, adding that the government would consult on whether soft play should remain there permanently or return to Fort Regent once redevelopment is complete.
Deputy Jonathan Renouf questioned why the government had not sought public input before developing the proposals that will soon be put out for consultation.
Mr 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 Montfort Tadier, who asked whether a lift from Snow Hill and an adjoining bridge – an idea previously put forward in 2022 – would be reconsidered.
Responding, Mr 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.”
