Aquasplash explains a puzzling price change

Have you noticed that Aquasplash has decided to charge every child over the age of six a full adult price for using its pool?  You may recall that just before Christmas we took a look at what age a child becomes an adult – a pretty straightforward question, you may think.  

Have you noticed that Aquasplash has decided to charge every child over the age of six a full adult price for using its pool? 

You may recall that just before Christmas we took a look at what age a child becomes an adult – a pretty straightforward question, you may think.  

Despite most of society and the law recognising the age of 18 as the beginning of adulthood, it would seem that most of Jersey’s family or children’s attractions think differently. A quick bit of research by the Jersey Consumer Council discovered the following: 

Adult at 12 

The Ice Skating charges adult prices once you pass the age of 12, along with Samares Manor, which does not differentiate between adults and children and simply states everyone over the age of 12 has to pay the full membership fee.  

Adult at 14  

Cineworld claim that you become an adult at 14 – despite stating that you need an adult with you if you wanted to watch a film that is rated in an age group higher than your actual age!  

Adult at 15 

Jersey Bowl will charge you a full adult fee once you reach the age of 15.  

Adult at 16 

Liberty Bus and Jersey Heritage count you as an adult once you pass 16 years of age

Adult at 17 

Durrell do not class you as an adult until you have had your 17th birthday.

Adult at 18  

Jersey Bulls has it right, and charges a discounted children’s ticket for under 18s, as does the National Trust and the Government of Jersey for use of public pools and sports facilities.   

However, last month Aquasplash – which originally at the time of our survey charged a full adult price from the age of 16 and allowed under four’s in for free – has now changed its policy and is charging any child over the age of six the full adult price, which currently stands at £9.50. 

This means that a family of two adults and three children would need to spend almost £50 to go swimming.  

As soon as we heard about their price change, we got in touch with the management and asked for an explanation.  

Their complex manager told us: ‘Our annual pricing review always takes into account the affordability for the local residents of the leisure venue and ensure the facility continues to be sustainable for the community.  

‘For some context around the decision please note: 

• From May 2024 the site was fully operational for the first time in two years (all flumes, features and outdoor pool open) previous to this the entry cost was run at a concession rate due to areas being closed or under repair.  
• Operational changes have also been taken into account following feedback, and the entry now allows unlimited time period of your visit, rather than the previous time limit of a maximum of one hour. This is to allow the facility to be a family destination facility to enjoy more of their leisure time together. 
• Before January 2025 children aged 4 or under could swim for free. This has now been increased so children under six now swim for free.
• The one price admission was brought in from 1 January 2025, in line with many other leisure pools in the UK. Children aged 6 or over have full access to the facility and can use all the features that adults can.
• Children that are members of our swimming lesson programme get an 80% discount on entry to using the leisure pool. This equates to under £2.’

We asked if they would consider reviewing their recent price rise, but they seemed steadfast, deeming that, compared to their competitors or other local attractions, they were offering good value. Their manager added: ‘As part of the annual review, we also review pricing on other family leisure destination sites on the Island, and we are confident we are still an affordable choice for families.’ 

However, we called Les Quennevais and, by comparison, found that it costs £3.50 for anyone between five to 17 years old to go swimming at Les Quennevais, and £5.50 per adult, meaning a family of five (if all children are over five years old) would cost £21 – less than half of the cost of Aquasplash. 

In response to a States question in 2022, it was revealed that the taxpayer is paying Serco a subsidy of at least £300,000 each year to run the facility. If it makes a loss, that figure is ramped up. In response to that question, the Government stated: ‘In 2004 the Government took the decision to close Fort Regent swimming pool and to invest in the Waterfront leisure pool complex to ensure the provision of a six-lane 25 metre pool to cater for swimming clubs and provide access to a public swimming pool for St Helier and the East of the Island. Serco (Aquasplash) are contracted by the Government of Jersey to operate the leisure pool to provide the services outlined below.’ 

That investment was to the tune of £11m – and that’s before the annual subsidy. 

So if the Government’s defence for paying such a large sum to the operators of Aquapslash is that it does so to ‘provide access to a public swimming pool for St Helier and the east of the Island’ then perhaps the relevant officers and ministers need to look closely at the agreement, as users are at the risk of being priced out of affording to go there.  

But more puzzling for us is how the Government can believe it is right and fair to charge £3.50 for Under 18s at the swimming pool it owns and runs, but allow children aged over six to be charged £9.50 at another swimming pool it pays someone else to run?