“Iconic” Fort pool sign saved from rubble

Friday 01 November 2019

An “iconic” sign that used to welcome islanders to the Fort Regent swimming pool has been salvaged before the much-loved spot turns to rubble.

The sign, which reads ‘Welcome to Fort Regent', will be preserved for years to come as part of Jersey’s historical collection at Jersey Heritage.

Due to multiple issues with the building including the presence of asbestos, it was 'reluctantly' decided that the building which used to house a busy family swimming pool should be demolished earlier this year. 

The demolition plan will take 42 weeks in total and see the Glacis Field site - which has been closed for around 15 years - cleared out by the end of June 2020. 

Pictured: Inside the once-popular pool building.

Express took one final dip in the Fort pool when engineers opened up its doors before demolition began as a last 'hurrah'.

Now Jersey Heritage have announced that the sign has been salvaged and will be preserved as “an iconic piece of Jersey’s social history".

The sign, which many people know as a key feature of the pool in its heyday may even become part of a future exhibition.

Pictured: The demolition of the pool building has already started.

Jersey Heritage’s Senior Registrar, Val Nelson told Express: “The sign from the Fort Regent pool is an iconic piece of Jersey’s social history and we are delighted to add it to our collection. 

“It is something that prompts Islanders to reminisce about spending time at the pool and up at the Fort and, for that reason, it is important to preserve the sign for the future. For the moment, it will be kept up at our Augrès Store in Trinity but one day, it might well be on display in an exhibition.”