Ceremony in St Saviour’s marks the opening of the new £8m sports facility

Caitlin Klein/BBC Bicycles are parked in a rack outside the entrance to a two-storey white building. it has the words Active Oakfield on it in blue letters. There is a path leading to the double door and a small patch of grass to the left of the image. — The new sports center offers facilities for schools and clubs

A new £8m sports facility has “raised the bar” for fitness, according to one of the island’s sports bosses.

Jersey Sport chief executive David Kennedy, who joined Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham and Minister for Infrastructure Andy Jehan at the opening of the Oakfield sports center in St Saviour, said the venue should help islanders achieve their sporting ambitions.

“It has got the best quality equipment, and the sheer size and scale of it really blows you away,” he said.

The center will host various sports across three multi-sport arenas including a 3G pitch, martial arts studios and purpose-built gymnastics hall.

Chris Craddock/BBC A new indoor sports pitch has different colored lines on the floor and nets positioned across the hall. — The center will be used by schools and the wider community

Susannah, 18, who was at the opening, said: “It’s nice to get new equipment, new space, and it opens up more opportunities to play different sports.”

The new facility, run by Active, opened following the closure of the Fort Regent centerand will host some of the sporting activities previously held there.

Work started on the new building in August 2024with sports groups, including Jersey Cricket and Jersey Netball Association, invited to look around as work progressed.

The facilities will be shared during school hours with local schools, including Highlands College and Hautlieu School, and junior clubs, with members and groups able to use the facilities outside of these times.

Chris Craddock/BBC A man in a blue suit with a green tie stands in front of gymnasium equipment in a sports hall. He is smiling. — Minister for Infrastructure Andy Jehan said the center should encourage young people to continue with sports

Sports clubs and associations can also hire the center’s arenas, pitches and studios.

The government hopes the center will be “community-focused” and part of a network of sports facilities across Jersey.

Jehan said the “fantastic facility” means “hopefully people will stay more involved and get involved in sport” and enjoy the health and sporting benefits it offers.

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