An initial meeting has taken place to 'get the wheels in motion' for ideas to put to the States Assembly on the future use of Fort Regent, as tenants await development plans they say they haven't been involved in.
The current remaining tenants are 'frustrated' at being forced of the centre by the end of this year and say these meetings are being called a 'last ditch' attempt to prevent the shutting down of the site.
Around 70 people attended the talks this week, including members of the public of all ages, sports coaches, and the existing users and tenants.
The group wants to understand what the public wants from a future potential redevelopment.
Last May, the Infrastructure Minister said plans would be announced 'soon'.
READ: Fort Regent plans will include skate park and children's play area
Responsibility for the project was then handed to Jersey Development Company whose CEO Lee Henry said 'exciting proposals' would be revealed in early 2025.
The group that met this week say they have not had any say in those proposals.
These ambitious plans for Fort Regent were unveiled in 2021, and shelved in early 2023 for being 'unaffordable'
The future of Fort Regent has been in the balance for years, with plans proposed, considered unaffordable, or rejected multiple times.
READ: What Next For Fort Regent?
This latest meeting was attended by Deputy David Warr, a member of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, and by Roisin Pitman from the Aikido club, which is still based at the Fort. Roisin told us:
"The vibe (of the meeting) was very positive - there were lots of very good ideas.
"The meeting was very hastily put to together, but we still had around 70 people in that room.
"We're getting decisions made about Fort Regent and we're being told what will happen.
"Surely, it should be the people (being) consulted about what we want, rather than giving it to the Jersey Development Company to do with it without our knowledge.
"We're not even getting told (its plans) until the end of April.
"Whilst the Fort is still breathing, we want to breathe life into it."
Organisers of the meeting say the next one will be arranged as soon as possible.
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