The parking along the road is 10-hour spaces, used by people working in Town.
Vanessa Marsh, one regular swimmer, said the temporary changing rooms had ‘gone down really well, loads of people have been using them’.
‘At first there was just the one for key holders, but it was so popular that they’ve had to put in another public one. They’ve been great for the winter months. But parking is a problem, and really needs to be sorted out as soon as possible.’
Without short-stay parking, swimmers cannot access the pools easily.
‘The temporary changing is being well-used, but parking is a major issue. It’s so stressful trying to find somewhere,’ Liz Williams said.
A good number of swimmers walk to the pools on lunch breaks, but that is not an option for all users.
Because of a lack of short-stay spaces, illegal parking on yellow lines is commonplace.
‘We said ages ago that parking would be an issue. We were told all along that this bit [adjacent to the pools] would be turned to two-hour spaces, and there would be at least 20 of them. Every day it has got worse. People have been swimming massively more, which is great, but it is making it get even more stressful.’
‘I started swimming for my first winter this year,’ said Jayne Willis, ‘it is the most exhilarating feeling.
‘It takes a lot to get in, but once you are, there is nothing that compares.’
Encouragement comes from a strong swimming community, she said. ‘Some friends are coming down to meet me, but I don’t know where they are going to park.
She said she had thought the temporary changing rooms were only for use of people with keys, adding: 'At least it’s warm.’
Last week, Ms Willis went for a group swim at Grandes Rocques.
‘There was a massive turnout. Both car parks were heaving. Since the 12 Bays of Christmas [Les Bourgs Hospice fundraiser] it has really taken off. In lockdown it was mad too.’
Vive La Vallette is the group behind the regeneration project.
The team comprises eight individuals with a variety of experience, but joined in the common purpose of developing La Vallette to its full potential for the benefit of the island community, in an architecturally imaginative way, while complimenting the regeneration work which has already taken place in the area and which respects its location and the environment.
Most important of all to the team is that when complete the development is respected and enjoyed by all and endures for the benefit of future generations.
The eight are David Warr, David De La Mare, Helen Bonner-Morgan, Steve Sharman, Linda Boucher-Harris, Andy Hall, Wendy Ensink and Phil Taylor.
You need to be logged in to comment. If you had an account on our previous site, you can migrate your old account and comment profile to this site by visiting this page and entering the email address for your old account. We'll then send you an email with a link to follow to complete the process.