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A Sports Centre for Jersey ?
By Marcel Le Masson Sports Editor
Jersey lies in the Bay of Mont St. J Michel at a latitude of 49° 13’ North and longitude 2° 9' West. This small island of about forty-five square miles, containing a residential population of some 63,000 persons is unique in the world of sport.
The long dark evenings of winter conceal the numerous indoor activities of sportsmen who, in the boxing ring or on Badminton Courts, strive to improve their performance. Billiard balls click against each other under the glare of bright light, keen eye and steady hold send .22 rifle bullets streaking down the ranges at the many shooting clubs, whilst brisk footwork with well practised movement turn aside the foil or sabre. These are but few of the many pastimes available to any potential sportsman.
Summer sport is not neglected either, we may dive through clear water to explore mysterious reefs, or crew the racing yacht on a long windward flog, with spray reflecting a sparkling rainbow from the thundering bow wave. If we prefer, there is golf, tennis, cricket, bowls—the list is endless. Yet all may be found within short reach of each other.
Many of the associations responsible for sections of Jersey sport find they cannot bring out the best in their participants through lack of, or restricted, facilities. Runners need tracks—as do cyclists; basket ball players prefer full size courts; squash courts are virtually non-existent. The question remains— ‘Does this Island require a sports centre?’.
During January, 1964, a special committee composed of many leading citizens, under the chairmanship of Senator J. Le Marquand, sat and began to meet the various deputations from the most interested organisations. The committee’s function was to assess the requirements and place them in the correct perspective. It must be said that the effect from this committee was in certain cases immediate: arrangements being made where possible to assist by using available buildings, this mainly due to the far-sighted anticipation of the Education Committee. The second consideration was, if and when a centre was built, where it would be sited ?
By Marcel Le Masson Sports Editor
Jersey lies in the Bay of Mont St. J Michel at a latitude of 49° 13’ North and longitude 2° 9' West. This small island of about forty-five square miles, containing a residential population of some 63,000 persons is unique in the world of sport.
The long dark evenings of winter conceal the numerous indoor activities of sportsmen who, in the boxing ring or on Badminton Courts, strive to improve their performance. Billiard balls click against each other under the glare of bright light, keen eye and steady hold send .22 rifle bullets streaking down the ranges at the many shooting clubs, whilst brisk footwork with well practised movement turn aside the foil or sabre. These are but few of the many pastimes available to any potential sportsman.
Summer sport is not neglected either, we may dive through clear water to explore mysterious reefs, or crew the racing yacht on a long windward flog, with spray reflecting a sparkling rainbow from the thundering bow wave. If we prefer, there is golf, tennis, cricket, bowls—the list is endless. Yet all may be found within short reach of each other.
Many of the associations responsible for sections of Jersey sport find they cannot bring out the best in their participants through lack of, or restricted, facilities. Runners need tracks—as do cyclists; basket ball players prefer full size courts; squash courts are virtually non-existent. The question remains— ‘Does this Island require a sports centre?’.
During January, 1964, a special committee composed of many leading citizens, under the chairmanship of Senator J. Le Marquand, sat and began to meet the various deputations from the most interested organisations. The committee’s function was to assess the requirements and place them in the correct perspective. It must be said that the effect from this committee was in certain cases immediate: arrangements being made where possible to assist by using available buildings, this mainly due to the far-sighted anticipation of the Education Committee. The second consideration was, if and when a centre was built, where it would be sited ?
Fort Regent
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Les Quennevais
Les Quennevais, situated in the West of the Island, looked a likely position—a section of land being already cleared. The other possibility, Fort Regent, at present a dump for old cars and tons of coal, and perhaps to be developed by private enterprise, may be out of reach of the limited finances that most sports organisations have, as investors expect a reasonable return on their speculations. If a State sponsored centre came into being would it be expected to pay for itself or be subsidized ? These are questions much to the fore when any decisions are made.
Mr. Frank Machon, President of the Caeserean Cycling Club for thirty-one years, would like to see a sports centre with banked cycling track and full facilities for other sports. If the Island must subsidize such a venture he would certainly be in favour, Mr. Machon is confident that Jersey could afford the expenditure. ‘I have been pressing for this over many years, but have almost given up hope of seeing it in my life time’, stated Mr. Machon, ‘We only spend ninepence a head on youth in Jersey, England allows about l/8d.’.
The Secretary of the Special Committee on Sports Grounds is Mr. J. H. Cabot, Senior Administration Assistant of the State’s Education Committee who gave full co-operation in explaining the position up to date.
Members of the special committee have visited sports centres at Harlow, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Hull and Basingstoke. Many experts have been consulted including Mr. G. A. Perrin, A.R.I.B.A., who as research Fellow compiled the report on ‘Community Sports Halls’ issued in November, 1965.
This comprehensive report covers the requirements of all types of sports centres according to density of population, including allowances for expanding areas. From their deliberations the committee are inclined to feel that the type of centre required by Jersey would include the type ‘B’ sports hall which can cater for a community of between 30,000 and 50,000, this is a hall with a main playing area of 105’ x 120'. Harlow Sports Hall is a good example with a playing area of 100’ x 120', the cost with equipment would be about £120,000: which would include the ancillary accommodation in the form of changing and refreshment rooms.
On my visit to Mr. Cabot, he told me that he expects the committee to compile an interim report in book form and then to place it before the States for their consideration; as for finance it may be possible to build a centre on the Trust Fund basis. As a matter of interest Mr. Cabot stated ‘The special committee sent invites to 106 interested sports bodies in Jersey and received replies from forty-seven, eventually seeing about twenty-seven’.
After thanking Mr. Cabot, I left feeling very confident that the special committee, which was required to take so many points of view into consideration, is fulfilling its function to its utmost ability.
Sport in Jersey is made up of much smaller basic units than on the mainland; most associations consider that if a central hall became available, their particular sport could develop accordingly. It seems clear that the first step must be to build a sports hall, a successful centre revolves around such a project; a sports hall is not a complete centre, but is the main section where members may feel they belong.
After thanking Mr. Cabot, I left feeling very confident that the special committee, which was required to take so many points of view into consideration, is fulfilling its function to its utmost ability.
Sport in Jersey is made up of much smaller basic units than on the mainland; most associations consider that if a central hall became available, their particular sport could develop accordingly. It seems clear that the first step must be to build a sports hall, a successful centre revolves around such a project; a sports hall is not a complete centre, but is the main section where members may feel they belong.
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