ELDERLY islanders face continuing to endure damp, draughty conditions after plans for a building that would have housed a new Russels Day Centre were rejected.
The proposed facility would have formed part of a £2.5m. project for a new St Peter Port Constables’ office at Les Cotils.
But when ratepayers and electors threw out those plans on Monday, hopes for an improved Russels – including a modern kitchen, dining room, lounge, nurses’ room, a hairdresser and toilets – were also dashed.
The WRVS runs the centre as a meeting place for older islanders but Health and Social Services is in charge of its upkeep.
Prior to the latest proposals, the department spent £232,513 on plans to build a new centre on the site. It was due to go out to tender in 2005 but the scheme was later scrapped due to lack of funding. Since then, other projects have taken priority.
HSSD chief officer David Hughes said there were now no plans in place. ‘It is impossible to say at the moment what will happen regarding the Russels. Discussions will need to take place with various parties – in particular the WRVS, who are running an excellent day care centre there.’
He said the current building, which suffers from draughts, leaks and poor insulation, did not meet HSSD standards. ‘Generally, the fabric of the building is in a very poor condition,’ he said.
WRVS Bailiwick organiser Lorna Hooley said the centre would continue to provide a place for older islanders to meet but she added that they were desperate for new facilities.
At Monday’s public meeting, there had been sympathy for users of the Russels. Former deputy Roy Bisson, who led a campaign against the constables’ office plan, said he believed a fund-raising campaign for the WRVS could be successful.
‘Until this project came forward, I didn’t realise the Russels had gone onto the backburner. It is a thoroughly worthwhile place and if HSSD are not able to fund it, then the public need to find the money.’
Mrs Hooley said it was wonderful that people were so enthusiastic and showing great support and would be interested to hear from anyone with fund-raising ideas.
Les Cotils trustees chairman Jurat Mike Tanguy, who has been closely involved with the Russels project, said any further plans would need to be discussed.
‘I can’t see the committee objecting to a future project on that site,’ he said.
‘We have always looked to support the Russels, but we cannot give a definitive answer currently.’
Article posted on 1st July, 2009 - 2.30pm
One Article Comment
This is probably not going to be popular but –
The old folks who use the Russells day centre don’t actually NEED a brand new state of the art building.
It can’t be that hard or expensive to stop the drafts and do something about the damp (a couple of dehumidifiers would only cost a few hundred quid).
I am sure the fabric of the building is sub-standard and one day we will need to replace it, but we need to prioritise spending now and I would suggest that this is one of those things that will have to be put on hold.
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