TAXPAYERS are expected to pay over £1m this year to prop up the private company operating the AquaSplash pool, it has emerged.
The Infrastructure Minister said government is developing a “clear action plan” aimed at reducing the operating deficit of Serco (Jersey) Limited.
Under the terms of the 20-year contract signed by Serco, the Government of Jersey covers any losses incurred in running the Waterfront pool.
From 2010 to 2021, a total of £5.6m was paid to Serco to operate the Aquasplash – an average of £467,000 per year.
Serco recorded an operating deficit of £450,000 in 2023 and was given a government grant of around £750,000.
Last year, this operating deficit rose to £650,000 – bringing the total paid to Serco to approximately £1.1 million.
And this year, Serco is expected to make a loss of £750,000, with the government anticipating a grant of £1.2 million.
The government has been reviewing the contract to understand the reasons behind these increasing costs
infrastructure minister andy jehan
Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan explained: “The management of the Waterfront pool contract passed back to the government in 2022.
“Since then, the government has been reviewing the contract to understand the reasons behind these increasing costs.
“This assessment is ongoing and will lead to the development of a clear action plan aimed at reducing the operating deficit.
“Discussions with the operator are continuing as part of this process.”
Under a 20-year contract signed in 2001, Serco was appointed to operate the Aquasplash pool on the Waterfront on behalf of the government.
As part of the agreement, the government was responsible for covering any financial losses incurred in running the site.
One of the conditions of the contract required the closure of the now-demolished Fort Regent public swimming pool within six months of the agreement’s start date.
It also prevented the Fort Regent pool from reopening during the contract period – unless the Aquasplash facility was temporarily closed due to technical failure or public health and safety reasons.
The contract also prevented the government from opening or funding any other public swimming pool within a 3 km radius of the Aquasplash site while the agreement was in force.
However, swimming pools in schools or educational establishments were exempt from this restriction, provided they were used only for educational purposes or organised training by recognised swimming clubs.
Serco declined to comment when contacted by the JEP.
