A SENIOR figure in the swimming community has expressed concern about the lack of lifeguards at the bathing pool at Havre des Pas.
While the Jersey Swimming Club voiced fears about safety at the pool, which has had lifeguards in summer during recent years, the new lease signed between the government and First Point Lido does not include specific provision for lifeguarding.
The lack of specific clauses meant that both parties told the JEP that the matter was not their responsibility.
Jersey Property Holdings, which acts as landlord and is part of the Infrastructure and Environment Department, said: “This is a beach environment, not an indoor pool. There are a number of coastal locations, including the marine lake [at West Park], where lifeguards are not routinely provided.”
First Point Lido director Jason Maindonald said: “We carry out a risk assessment for the site, but it is not a requirement of our lease to supply lifeguards – there are plenty of other places where there are kiosks or cafés next to swimming spots, but that doesn’t mean the operators of those venues have responsibility for lifeguards.”
Mr Maindonald admitted that it was “unfortunate” that the lifeguarding service, formerly part of the government’s Sport and Leisure provision, had ceased at the same time as the new lease had been signed.
Carole Penfold, president of Jersey Swimming Club, said she was very concerned about the situation.
“It’s imperative that there are lifeguards at Havre des Pas – it will be too late when someone drowns,” she said.
“When we have events at an indoor pool we have to ensure there are trained lifeguards there – at least two are required so that they can work together to use a ‘back-board’ [stretcher] if a swimmer was to get hurt.
“For the safety of the public, something needs to be done about this.”
Renowned long-distance swimmer Sally Minty-Gravett was equally critical, describing the lack of lifeguards at Havre des Pas as “a very poor show”.
The terms of the lease for the Lido, recently published in response to a Freedom of Information request, requires the tenants “to use all reasonable endeavours to encourage as wide as possible use of the property by the general public, including water-based activities in the swimming pool, sporting and community use of the sundecks, as well as more general youth activities and corporate and private events”.
