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The States has pledged £300,000 of taxpayers' money to the La Vallette redevelopment, as part of a new lease agreement that will allow the area's transformation to begin before the year is out.
Local charity, Vive La Vallette, can now go ahead with its plans to modernise the facilities by the Bathing Pools as part of the Seafront Enhancement Programme.
“I am delighted that we have reached agreement with the States of Guernsey," said Chair of the Charity, David Warr. "This is a major milestone in helping our vision for the area become a reality, and opening it up to a wider range of community uses.
"It is an historic and iconic site in a prime location and we look forward to unlocking its full potential with the expressed intention of it being a community asset for this and future generations in which we can take pride."
Vive La Vallette aims to upgrade and improve the kiosk, changing rooms and adjoining mound area, so they be more widely used by more members of the public.
Pictured: The current kiosk will be torn down to make space for the new facilities.
"Our immediate task is to sign a contract for the redevelopment to allow work to begin whilst continuing to raise the necessary funds to meet the total costs which are anticipated to be £1.5m," Mr Warr continued. "Through a combination of the States of Guernsey and private sector support, in excess of £800,000 has already been committed to the project.
"We are hopeful that work on site will start later this year and that islanders will embrace the project and support us in our fundraising efforts."
Vive La Vallette was named the preferred party to redevelop the site in May last year, following a public engagement initiative which saw members of the community submit proposals for what could be done to make the most of the six sites included in the Seafront Enhancement Programme.
“It’s taken longer than I would have liked to get to this point for a number of reasons, not least the pandemic this year," added Chair of the Seafront Enhancement Area Steering Group, Deputy Gavin St Pier.
Pictured: Vive La Vallette's project aims to completely redevelop the facilities.
"Investing in and improving our seafront is one of the big aims under the Revive and Thrive Strategy, and one of the ways that we can ensure we build back better both in terms of our economy and in the quality of life for islanders. Even before the covid-19 pandemic, it has been an ambition of this government to make real progress because we knew then that the seafront is an enormous asset that we can enhance and make better use of.
"The public really engaged with us when we first went to them with the six sites, asking for their ideas. It has been hard work to take those excellent suggestions and turn them into viable projects but signing the Agreement for Lease with Vive La Vallette is a big step."
The States has committed £300,000 to the project, and will also carry out one-off works on the Ladies' and Children's Pools, while continuing the current level of maintenance and cleaning.
Pictured top: Steve Sharman, Helen Bonner-Morgan, Dave De La Mare and David Warr from Vive La Vallette, with Deputy Gavin St Pier.
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