Sports clubs to vacate Fort Regent by year’s end

Sports groups in Jersey will need to vacate their long-time base at Fort Regent by the end of this year, as confirmed by the Infrastructure Minister.

Minister Constable Andy Jehan announced that the historic sports venue, which has served as the island’s main sporting hub for many years, will be closed and mothballed by December. The closure comes in response to escalating operational costs and concerns about the presence of asbestos in the building.

Jehan revealed that the facility’s running costs would amount to nearly £600,000, with maintenance expenses reaching up to £140,000 this year alone.

Roy MacDonald, Chief Instructor of the Jersey Kenpo Karate Association, which has been based at Fort Regent for 42 years, expressed disappointment over the closure. “It’s quite sad that we have to leave, but we’re looking forward to our move to Oakfields Stadium,” he said. However, he noted that the new facility poses some challenges. “While there are two martial arts areas with mats at Oakfields, it’s not quite the same as what we’ve enjoyed at Fort Regent,” he explained.

Minister Jehan further clarified that reopening Fort Regent would require extensive work to upgrade the electrical and water systems, as well as the removal of hazardous materials.

Despite the closures, Jehan confirmed that La Petite Ecole nursery would remain operational at Fort Regent.