THE Infrastructure Minister has said he remains committed to making the delipidated Victoria Marine Lake safe but has questioned the value to the taxpayer of repairing the pool in the long term.
Constable Andy Jehan said of the 2,190 responses received to a public survey regarding Jersey Development Company proposals for the Waterfront, only nine responses referenced the Marine Lake, also known as the West Park Pool.
There have been fresh calls to salvage the historic pool in St Aubin’s Bay. The site first opened in 1897 and was restored at a cost of £315,000 between 2012 and 2014 but was later damaged during storms and has fallen into disrepair.
Deputy Inna Gardiner, who is championing the cause, recently held a public meeting on the issue.
In this week’s States sitting, Deputy Gardiner asked what public engagement had taken place regarding the future of the facility.
Mr Jehan highlighted the Waterfront survey results and said the Marine Lake did not form part of JDC plans for the area.
He said: “We should keep in mind that the pool – while I’m sure of its day – has been largely non-operational for decades, save for a few years from 2014 – £315,000 was spent then and more would be required now.
“We do need to make people safe in the short term, but we need to think very carefully as to whether it is needed for the future and if spending more money to repair it represents value for the taxpayer.”
Deputy Inna Gardiner asked whether the government risked diminishing Jersey’s cultural heritage by not restoring the pool due to its historic significance and continued use by sea swimmers.
The minister highlighted investment in the Havre des Pas bathing pool which he said the government would “continue to make”.
He also reiterated his comment that he was committed to making the Marine Lake safe.
