The diving platform at the Bathing Pools will reopen following a 'concerted effort from the community, government and the private sector.'
On 7 February 2025 Guernsey States announced its intention to remove the diving platform from the Ladies’ Pool, in relation to safety concerns.
Two days later, hundreds of islanders protested this decision.
Since then, a significant amount of silt and rubble has been cleared by members of the community, and bedrock has been mechanically removed by F Watson & Son Ltd, partly voluntarily.
The Guernsey States say the new water depth of 3.5 metres complies with safety standards and it can now reopen for public use.
Environment & Infrastructure President Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez says the joint work represents the Guernsey spirit.
"This has been a fantastic example of Guernsey’s incredible community spirit, with businesses, government and members of the public pulling together so that the platform can be reopened.
"As a keen swimmer myself, it’s brilliant that we can now continue to enjoy this feature of our wonderful bathing pools.
“I’d like to specifically thank those who came together to find workable solutions, including those in the working party and colleagues across the States, including the Health & Safety Executive, who worked closely with us so that we could achieve a positive outcome to everyone’s satisfaction.”
Guernsey's record breaking swimmer, Adrian Sarchet, known as the Sea Donkey, has been at the heart of the campaign to retain the platform.
“We should all feel blessed to live in a place where magic like this can happen.
“The community spoke, government listened, and local business facilitated a solution, largely for free.
“And now happy children, both large and small, will be leaping off the diving platform once again…into a safer environment, thanks to the work everyone has put in.
“The cast of faces that has made this happen is too large to thank individually here, but each and every one of you has my thanks.”
Additional improvements to the bathing pools will be carried out over the summer to further improve safety.
The steps up the the board will be adjusted to make accessing the platform easier, and work will be done to reduce the slippiness of the boards when they are wet.
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