Guernsey Press

Styx is reluctant to lose its playground for more parking

A GRASSED play area at Styx Centre may have to be used for parking, the centre’s directors have said.

Published
Styx centre manager Anne Thomas and director Steve Langlois at the centre’s playground which may have to go to parking if the centre cannot find an alternative. Also pictured are Eden, 5, and Ren Breaton, 3. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 23895262)

The 29 parking spaces that surround the building are no longer sufficient as the centre at St Peter’s has become increasingly busy over the last two years.

Styx Centre LBG director Steve Langlois said other ideas had been investigated and some were still being considered.

However, while the playground option would help with parking, it would only go some way to solving traffic congestion.

‘The loss of the playground area is something that deeply concerns the directors. However, the necessity to increase the car parking capacity, and more importantly the safety of users, especially children, is paramount,’ said Mr Langlois.

The Longfrie Inn has allowed parking at certain times of the day and Mr Langlois said the directors would welcome any suggestions or offers of help which might ease the need to take such a drastic step.

Concerns about insufficient parking have been growing.

The centre was refurbished in 2017 when its former title of Western Community Centre was dropped and it became Styx Centre LBG.

At the same time the focus moved more towards social prescribing* and community classes and less to the previous youth work bias.

The centre has also been home to Gate – the Guernsey Academy of Theatrical Education – for about 15 years.

There was also rooms available for private hire.

Centre manager Anne Thomas said Styx had become a victim of its own success in terms of the parking shortage.

‘People from across the island now used it.

‘The social prescribing/community classes mean classes are affordable and accessible to everyone and they have enabled the centre to thrive,’ she said.

‘It’s about inclusion, combatting loneliness and enhancing wellbeing and we want people to have positive experiences when they come here.’

As a charity, the centre had to ‘wash its own face’ in terms of a funding which was why usage of it needed to be maximised.

There were classes for either the infirm or the less able, and the very young, and nearby parking was particularly important for them.

Styx was looking to ease the problem in other ways and the directors were currently looking at the possibility of installing a covered area for cycles.

‘We provide community services that are widely needed, well supported and appreciated,’ said Mrs Thomas.

*Social prescribing enables GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals to refer people to local, non-clinical services.

n Anyone with ideas on how to solve the problem or who can offer parking is asked to email Styxcentre@cwgsy.net or call 267319.