Construction of New Sports Hall in Jersey Begins

Work has commenced on an £8.4 million sports hall being constructed next to an existing sports hall and a 3G football pitch in Jersey. The Government of Jersey announced that the facilities at Oakfield in St Helier would serve as a key base for the sporting community, providing essential resources for Hautlieu School and Highlands College.

Constable Andy Jehan, the Minister for Infrastructure, remarked that the new sports hall would be a valuable asset for both the local community and educational purposes. He stated, ‘It’ll be a great facility not only for the community but also for education.’

The projected completion date for the new building is Christmas 2025. Upon its completion, the existing hall will be repurposed exclusively for gymnastics activities.

The new sports center at Oakfield is set to accommodate various sporting activities that were previously held at Fort Regent. Planned sports include basketball, netball, cricket, and martial arts.

Barclay Harvey, head of sports operations for Jersey’s Government, highlighted that this initiative aims to improve existing facilities while repurposing Fort Regent for new purposes. He noted, ‘We’re taking sport out of the fort and we’re bringing it here to a new building at Oakfield, which is great.’

Julia Falle, a representative from Regent Gymnastics Club based at Fort Regent, expressed enthusiasm about the new facility. She stated that the change would allow for permanent gymnastics equipment to be in place, eliminating the need for it to be moved for exhibitions. This transition is particularly significant for the island, as it will provide a dedicated space for gymnastics.

Another anticipated benefit of the new facility is its potential to attract international teams for training purposes. This aspect was emphasized by members of the local sports community.