Having originally been evicted just before Christmas when the former Guernsey Bowl site in Victoria Avenue was sold, new owners Faye and Neil Lomax allowed them the chance to stay until 31 March rent-free.
But all the businesses and activities affected, who were sub-letting space from Ignite Studios, will have moved to new premises by the start of next week.
Becky Bailey, from volunteer-run Ace Elite Cheerleaders, said the new owners had gone ‘above and beyond’ to help them secure a new location at the Badminton Centre in the Rohais and – together with Jon Ravenscroft – even matched the funds they raised, totalling £8,000, spent on professional-grade stunt mats.
‘We’re doing amazingly well, thanks to Neil and Faye,’ said Miss Bailey.
‘They’ve been so kind, first allowing us to stay longer rent-free and then with helping us find contacts and donating funds for our new flooring. We used to share the space at Rock Health with Island Gymnastics, so would borrow their mats – so that was one of our concerns when leaving. But they really came through. We couldn’t be happier. It’s amazing how it’s all worked out and we can’t thank them enough.’
The cheerleading group will hold its first session at its new base this Sunday.
As part of their big plans for the site, which will be rebranded as The Rockhouse, the new owners said that looking after the community was fundamental.
‘From the outset, we wanted to support the community groups who had been let down by the forfeiture of the previous master lease at the site,’ said Mr Lomax.
‘It was important to us to step in and find ways to help those affected. The clubs have been great, we started a WhatsApp group and said “let’s all use the space as and when we want to” in this lead-up to our opening. Working with them has shown us how much they are valued by their members, and we want The Rockhouse to play a positive role in Guernsey sport well beyond the facility.’
What has been described as ‘Guernsey’s first purpose-built social sports and wellness district’ should be ready to open this summer.
In a bid to combine a social sports club with a boutique wellness studio, the multimillion-pound facility will consist of two distinct spaces – ‘The Club’, which will house the sports offering of pickleball, golf simulators, clay pigeon simulators and augmented darts; and ‘The Studios’, anchored by Guernsey Pilates’ reformer studio and infra-red mat sanctuary.
‘We’re bringing bespoke spaces and state-of-the-art experiences to Guernsey,’ said Mr and Mrs Lomax.
‘Part of our vision for the site is to encourage those who already visit Victoria Avenue to use it as a true “district”. By creating a destination where friends and families can spend a whole morning, afternoon or evening together, we can better manage traffic flow and reduce the peak-time congestion often associated with single-activity trips.’
A partnership has been signed with Guernsey Racquet Club this week to offer dedicated pickleball facilities to its members.
‘We’re incredibly excited to be in partnership with The Rockhouse and be able to offer our members the benefits of being part of one of the first strategic alliances in this space on the island,’ said Richard Vincent of Guernsey Racquet Club.
Anytime Fitness will remain as part of the facility and director Connor Thorne said the gym chain welcomed the plans, which may include the potential for a combined membership offering.
Work on The Club is due to complete by August. Both spaces will require memberships. Monthly membership for the social sports club starts from £15, while mat and reformer Pilates classes are priced from £14 to £35. Waiting lists for both can be joined now.
For more information visit www.therockhouse.gg