Petition Restore & maintain the 128-year old Victoria Marine Lake (sea pool at West park)
Victoria Marine Lake is a site of significant historical and cultural importance. Dating from 1897, it is one of the largest in the British Isles and one of only two such pools in Jersey. The pool provides access to seawater swimming, especially during low tides when the sea can drop up to 1.5 km.
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Despite some investment in the past, the pool has seen minimal maintenance over its 128-year history. Since 2023, the sluice gates have remained open, effectively rendering the pool unusable. In response, the newly formed “Save Our Pool Working Group” - comprising local stakeholders - is advocating for its restoration.
Victoria Marine Lake predates the listed Havre des Pas pool by eight years, yet it remains unlisted and at risk. Restoring the pool would preserve a vital piece of Jersey’s heritage while promoting health, leisure, and tourism.
1,462 signatures
5,000
Ministers responded
This response was given on 7 August 2025
A project to bring the Marine Lake back into full operation in 2014 cost £315,000 and was unsuccessful. There was minimal public use of the pool, largely due to sea lettuce, which remains an issue.
The Victoria Marine Lake has not been fully operational for several decades, save for a few years from 2014. £315,000 was spent on repairs to the pool to bring it back into service in 2014 and more would be required now.
Regrettably, the project to bring the pool back into full operation in 2014 was ultimately unsuccessful. There was minimal public use of the pool, and the Bosdet Foundation understandably withdrew from running the Marine Lake. It should be recognised that a major issue a decade ago was the existence of sea lettuce, and this is a factor that remains present in St Aubin’s Bay today.
With these points in mind, careful consideration needs to be given as to whether the restoration of the Victoria Marine Lake would be an effective and efficient use of public funds, given the risk and probable likelihood that the same issues that resulted in low use of the Marine Lake in 2014 would arise again.
The Government has made, and will continue to make, significant investments at the Havre des Pas Lido which is a short distance from West Park. There are also plans for a 50-metre outdoor pool on the Waterfront. The Marine Lake is a historic site, but it is questionable as to whether there is sufficient demand in 2025 that would justify the hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money that would be needed to restore and maintain it on an ongoing basis.
Nevertheless, the Minister for Infrastructure remains open to discussions regarding the future of the Marine Lake. A commitment has been made to make the pool safe in the short-term, and enquiries have been made as to the potential to lower the wall in the areas where it is damaged. Initial discussions have indicated, however, that any such work would be of a similar cost to a full renovation.
The Minister and Assistant Minister would welcome any new interest from external parties who may wish to operate or provide co-investment in the Marine Lake. The Marine Lake would again be made available for lease in the appropriate circumstances.
The Minister for Infrastructure will attend a public meeting regarding the Victoria Marine Lake at the Old Magistrate’s Court in the Town Hall on 5th September.
At 5,000 signatures...
This petition will be considered for debate by the States Assembly