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Fort Regent will tonight host its first major concert since the venue was forced to close to large events, after a fire safety review concluded there should be no more than 1,170 people inside at any one time.
The Jersey Symphony Orchestra is presenting its ‘Best of British’ Summer Concert at 19:30.
This is the first time in five months that Fort Regent is hosting a large scale event. Back in March, the number of people using the facility at any one time was capped at 1,170.
Pictured: Following Fort Regent's closure to large scale events, the JSO played at St. Michael's School in April.
As a result, a number of large-scale events had to be moved to a different venue, including Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s Spring Concert which took place at St. Michael's School.
Fort Regent re-opened for bookings for events up to 1,170 in May following extensive works, during which the building’s emergency lighting system and signage have been upgraded, while a new fire detection and alarm system is being installed.
Work is also almost complete on the Fort’s changing rooms, which had to close last summer following concerns over Legionella and are now due to reopen this month.
Fort Regent will host the Jersey Symphony Orchestra summer concert this weekend. The concert will be the first major event at the Fort since the venue had to close to large events earlier this year. https://t.co/h6lYcu4iJD pic.twitter.com/Acfzr0CRQH
— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) July 30, 2019
“I am delighted that we are able to welcome events back to Fort Regent, and proud of the hard work that Fort staff have undertaken to get us into this position," the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Hugh Raymond, said. "Although we have not yet made decisions over the Fort’s long-term future, it is excellent that the building can be enjoyed safely as an events hub in the short-term."
While the work means that islanders can continue to safely use the Fort in the short-term, further work is underway to decide how Fort Regent will contribute to island life in the future.
Fort Regent is mentioned in the recently published Government Plan 2020-2023 - which sets out the island’s political priorities - as part of the capital programme, which list investments in the island’s infrastructure and other assets. The document states that £2million have been allocated over the next four years - with the exception of 2021 - to determine the future of the facility.
Pictured: The government is considering a number of options for the future of Fort Regent.
"Fort Regent is one of Jersey’s historic assets, and while it has suffered from under- investment over decades, the Government believes that it has the potential once again to become an integral part of the Island’s community, while also appealing to a wider UK and international market, particularly through visitor and business tourism," it is noted in the Government Plan.
Among the key aspirations advanced by the government are better accessibility and provision for hosting large numbers of people at events.
As for options for the Fort’s redevelopment, the government says they are varied, although they noted investment costs to keep the facility simply open in its current state may not present "good value for money or meet future objectives."
Pictured: A sports village, with the potential for a 50m pool and associated facilities, is one of the options on the table for Fort Regent.
Three key themes have apparently emerged as preferred for further development, testing, and appraisal, from an initial list of 10 options. These include a facility to host large conferences, events, hotel, casino and leisure facilities; a "meaningful use" in the form of a botanical ‘Tivoli Gardens’ type of development; and a "sports village", with the potential for a 50-metre pool and associated facilities.
“The Fort Regent Political Steering Group is continuing to look at options for the Fort in the medium- and long-term," Mr Raymond said. "I am hopeful that the building, which holds special significance and fond memories for many islanders, can continue to be used by the community for many years to come.”
Meanwhile the show must go on and the JSO will be presenting programme features an all British line-up of composers from William Walton, Edward Elgar, and Benjamin Britten, to Gustav Holst, (b. Cheltenham), and Frederick Delius (b.Bradford).
Pictured: Mr Wetton, Jersey Symphony Orchestra's new Musical Director. (Filskifoto)
The ‘Best of British’ Summer Concert will mark the return of charismatic conductor Hilary Davan Wetton, who recently took on the role of musical director at the Orchestra.
Led by Martin Smith, the orchestra will be joined by award-winning mezzo soprano, Marta Fontanals-Simmons.
Among the pieces being played will be Walton's famous 'Crown Imperial March', Elgar’s ‘Sea Pictures’ and ‘Nimrod and Finale’ from the Enigma Variations, as well as ‘Walk to the Paradise Gardens’, and ‘Two Songs with Words’ by Holst.
Pictured: The JSO rehearsing for tonight's concert.
One of the highlights of the evening will be the 'Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra' by Britten narrated by Tim Pollard. "The narrative by Eric Crozier, it is a great introduction to orchestral music for young people and we are offering a special price for children students," the JSO said.
In true ‘Last Night of the Proms’ fashion, the ever popular 'Jerusalem and the Pomp' and 'Circumstance March' will round off the evening of light summer music.
Tickets for the concert are available, or in person from the Fort Regent box office until 19:00.
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