THE States need to find the money to ensure Jersey’s excellent sporting facilities are maintained and enhanced, says Education, Sport and Culture Minister Mike Vibert.

Senator Vibert said that even in times of financial restraint, sufficient funds need to be made available to allow sport to continue to be one of the Island’s success stories.

The Senator was elected unopposed as Minister and was unable to deliver a speech outlining his proposed programme for the Education, Sport and Culture department for the next three years.

He has now issued a copy of the speech he wanted to make to the States and in it said the introduction of sports development officers had seen standards rise and participation rates rise even higher.

Talking about sporting facilities, the Senator said the issue of the redevelopment of Fort Regent needs to be resolved.

‘It must, and needs, urgently to be redeveloped as a centre of sporting excellence, an aim approved by the States but no funding identified to deliver this long overdue refurbishment,’ he said.