PLAYERS from opposing football teams could be forced to share changing rooms for up to six weeks as a result of a clash of renovation work at government-owned facilities.
A total of 18 JFA Combination grassroots fixtures have been relocated due to the impending closure of the pitch at Springfield Stadium and affected clubs have been told there might not be enough space at the new venues.
FB Fields and Les Quennevais are hosting the majority of the fixtures that were scheduled to be held at Springfield between 14 February and 31 March, but separate changing blocks at both sites are currently, or soon-to-be, out of bounds.
Meanwhile, the JEP understands that Springfield’s indoor facilities, including the Active gym and sports hall, will also close, potentially for up to four months, so that a £1.9million improvement project can begin. Once complete, the doors to gym facilities at Fort Regent will shut permanently.
In an email sent to Combination football clubs, league officials suggested that teams might have to share changing rooms throughout the period of disruption at FB Fields – and potentially for a longer period at peak times at Les Quennevais. Proposed alternatives include players arriving and departing in their kit or requesting the use of Les Quennevais’ ‘dry’ changing rooms within the main complex.
The satellite pavilion at FB Fields is in the midst of a planned upgrade – due for completion in March – while Les Quennevais is set to lose four changing rooms at the top end of its playing fields to make way for the Island’s new skate park.
A Government of Jersey spokesperson told the JEP: ‘The work taking place on Springfield gym is part of a major programme of improvements to sporting facilities on the Island. We are still awaiting final confirmation of the schedule from our contractors and so are not yet in a position to confirm the timings of any possible Springfield gym closure, but we will be notifying both our members as soon as we have this confirmation.
‘We acknowledge, as with all construction works, that there will be some disruption while the work is taking place, however we are working hard to keep this to a minimum.’
The 11-a-side football field at Springfield will be off limits from 14 February so that government contractors can move the high-fencing behind each goal before an England FA deadline of 31 March. The 2022 under-18 Muratti and the Tregear Cup final are among the games affected at late notice, with the former now set to be staged at St Peter FC.
